Accept EFS agreements by March 27

1903 Wider Level agreements and 209 Higher Level agreements have been issued to those farm businesses who applied to join the EFS in 2019.

To accept the EFS agreement farmers must log on to DAERA’s online services through their Government Gateway or their NIDirect Account portal. The deadline to accept the agreement offer is 5.00pm on Friday 27 March 2020, otherwise the scheme agreement will be cancelled.

A DAERA spokesperson said: “The EFS Agreement and Schedule documentation for each business can be viewed by selecting the Environmental Farming Scheme option within DAERA Online Services. Businesses should read their documentation and check the scheme Terms and Conditions. If a business wishes to accept the agreement then simply click on the “Accept” button no later than 27 March.

“Appointments should only be requested for complex queries that cannot be resolved by telephone. Where a member of the business needs help in their local office they should phone the Helpline to make an appointment and bring their Government Gateway ID (12 digit ID) and password with them. A member of staff will use this to access their agreement. There is also an on-line video which explains the acceptance process on the DAERA website.”

A letter has also been issued explaining some changes to the scheme payment rates and gives advice on what to do next.

For queries on EFS Agreements, please contact the EFS Advisory Service number 028 8675 7507 or the DAERA Helpline number 0300 200 7848, or email your query to [email protected].