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The fourth tranche of the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) higher level opens for applications on Friday 24 April.
The window is tight, with applications closing at midnight on Friday 15 May.
The higher level of EFS is for land in environmentally designated areas. This includes Special Areas of Conservation and Areas of Special Scientific Interest, and other areas of priority habitat.
Eligible land
Northern Ireland farmers can check if they have eligible land by logging into DAERA online services and clicking the EFS option.
Fields for each farm business will be marked as higher or wider level and only those farmers with eligible higher fields will be able to submit an application.
Land that is not designated is eligible for EFS wider level and a fourth tranche of this scheme is planned for later in the year.
Over-subscribed
Last year, EFS higher level was over-subscribed with 932 applying, but only 300 letters of offer were sent to successful applicants by DAERA. The latest update from the department earlier this month stated that 196 successful applicants had accepted their offers and were proceeding.
DAERA has said that if the fourth tranche is over-subscribed, applications will be ranked and those providing the highest environmental benefit will be selected to proceed.
SHARING OPTIONS: