Poots launches Tranche 5 EFS (Higher)

DAERA Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced that the Higher Level of the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) Tranche 5 has opened for applications.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Apr 2021, 11:53 BST

EFS Higher Level is for land with environmental designations, such as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), and other areas of priority habitat. To check if land is eligible, applicants should log on to the DAERA Online Services under EFS where the fields for each farm business will be marked as either Higher or Wider Level. Only those businesses with eligible Higher fields will be able to submit an EFS Higher application.

Minister Poots said: “EFS Higher agreements help to bring our most important environmental sites under favourable management and the Scheme supports farmers in doing so.

“I have therefore taken the decision to open a fifth tranche of EFS Higher for applications from 30 April 2021. The application process must be completed online, and for those who may experience issues with access, my staff within the EFS team can offer assistance.

“As we emerge with hope from the current Covid-19 crisis, we need to be looking at protecting these sites over the next five years and assisting farmers who are willing to take up this challenge.

“I also hope to be able to announce a further application period for the EFS Wider Level later this year.”

Applications for Tranche 5 EFS Higher must be submitted online before the end of Friday 21 May 2021.

Comprehensive information on all the EFS options and the application process is available online through the EFS section of the DAERA website – https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/environmental-farming-scheme-efs-higher-level.

Related topics:Edwin Poots MLAEFS