Hazzard welcomes decision to retain 3-hectare minimum farm size
Sinn Féin South Down MP Chris Hazzard has welcomed the decision by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to retain three hectares as the minimum claim size for the Farm Sustainability Payment.
The South Down MP said: “The decision to retain the 3-hectare minimum claim size will come as a relief to the 1491 small farms who would not have been eligible for the new payment.
“It would have put many of our small farms in South Down out of business with serious consequences for these farmers, their families and our local economy.
“Local farms are essential for rural sustainability and the future of local schools, sports clubs and services.
“In most cases, the only option to secure planning permission in rural areas is access to an active farm business number.
“If these farms went out of business, it would have a severe knock-on impact on young families wanting to set up home in the country.
“I welcome the fact that the minister has listened and has made the correct decision to help protect these small farms.”
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Minister Muir provides clarity on the Farm Support and Development Programme
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir has provided clarity on his plans for the Farm Support and Development Programme from 1 January 2025, with further announcements due early in the New Year.
This Programme is fundamental in helping DAERA support farmers and enables us to collectively achieve our environmental and climate change goals. It provides the right support and policies to help us move forward on a journey of change towards both economic and environmental sustainability. This will also be a key part of protecting water quality across Northern Ireland.
Further to the UK budget announcement from the Chancellor on 30 October 2024, the removal of earmarked status and lack of multi-year of funding from HM Treasury post 31 March 2025 has created a degree of uncertainty.
Clarifying his plans, Minister Muir said: “I understand the concerns and high level of uncertainty for our farmers at this time of unprecedented change.
“The overall budget position for agriculture, agri-environment, fisheries and rural development for the 2025/2026 year has not yet been formally confirmed as the draft budget process has not yet been completed.
“It is important that we continue on the journey of transitional change we embarked upon this year.
“Now more than ever, I wish to provide as much certainty as I can to farm businesses, whilst addressing the multiple challenges, such as reducing carbon, improving animal health and enhancing our environment.
“That is why I have decided to introduce the new Farm Sustainability Transition Payment (FSTP) on 1 January 2025, with minimal changes, retaining the minimum claim size at 3 ha and introducing the historic years exercise as part of the Farm Sustainability Payment from 2026.
“I am pleased that the Beef Carbon Reduction (BCR) Scheme is already delivering emission reductions above that projected in Year 1. From January 2025, the second year of the BCR Scheme will commence, to continue to incentivise farm businesses to reduce the slaughter age of clean beef animals to a maximum age at slaughter of 28 months.”
Addressing the Suckler Cow Scheme, the Minister said: “Subject to budget and legislation, it is also my intention to bring forward the new Suckler Cow Scheme from 1 April 2025.
“Whilst this very short delay on the opening of this scheme will have a small impact on the reduction of overall emissions, this will be mitigated by driving further uptake of the BCR Scheme and provide additional time to communicate and prepare farm businesses to avail of the Suckler Cow Scheme.
“A programme of communications will commence early next year to provide information and knowledge on how to achieve the age at first calving targets and calving interval, in order to maximise level of uptake.”
The Minister further outlined his plans for Farming with Nature: “The Farming with Nature Package is one of my key priorities and will support farmers and land managers to make substantial contributions to environmental improvements and sustainability. The initial focus is on habitats on farmed land across Northern Ireland.
“I plan to launch the Farming with Nature Transition Package in Spring 2025. A number of options are planned to increase biodiversity and improve habitat connectivity including planting of new hedgerows, creating riparian buffer strips and establishing farmland trees. Future expansion and roll out of full Farming with Nature Scheme Package will occur in early 2026.”
Concluding, Minister Muir said: “I hope this announcement will provide clarity and stability for farm businesses at this time. It is my intention to provide further details on my plans for the Farm Support and Development Programme early in the New Year when I will launch a full programme of communications for the year ahead.”
