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A limited number of applicants will be accepted on to the fourth tranche of the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) higher level, a DAERA spokesperson has confirmed.
“While difficult to predict exact numbers, it is likely that between two and three hundred farm businesses will be offered an agreement in EFS higher tranche 4,” the spokesperson said.
The online application window for the scheme opened last Friday and closes at midnight on Friday 15 May.
Those providing the highest environmental benefit will be selected to proceed
In the third tranche of the scheme last year, 932 farmers applied but only 300 letters of offer were sent to successful applicants.
The UFU subsequently called on DAERA to allow all eligible applicants on to the fourth tranche, although the department has indicated that this is unlikely to happen.
“In the event of applications exceeding the available resource, applications will be ranked and those providing the highest environmental benefit will be selected to proceed,” the DAERA spokesperson said.
EFS higher level is for environmentally designated land, such as special areas of conservation and areas of special scientific interest.
The fourth tranche of EFS could be the last application intake for the scheme
Across the first three tranches of EFS, there are 780 scheme agreements currently in place. It is running well behind the 2,000 higher level agreements that DAERA initially forecast would be in place when the scheme was launched in 2017.
The fourth tranche of EFS could be the last application intake for the scheme, although DAERA has said that a fifth tranche in 2021 has not been ruled out at present.
“As EFS is partially EU funded, we await clarity on the UK’s position in respect of the impact of the Withdrawal Agreement due to come into force on 31 December, the developing situation with respect to the global pandemic and future departmental priorities,” the spokesperson said.
A fourth tranche of EFS wider level, which is for specific agri environment measures on non-designated land, is expected to open for application later in 2020.
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