First Tier 1 letters of offer issued

The first letters of offer under the latest phase of the Tier 1 capital grant scheme have been issued.

“With £15m funding available for this tranche, Letters of Offer will continue to issue over the next weeks until the budget is fully allocated,” said Agriculture Minister Gordon Lyons.

In December, over 3,800 applications were received for grant funding for equipment costing from £5,000 to £30,000.

Slurry form and derogation deadlines extended

The deadline for submitting records of slurry exports during the 2020 calendar year has been extended to 1 March 2021.

An extension has also been given to those applying to operate under a nitrates derogation during 2021, with the window now closing on 31 March.

For farmers that operated under a derogation last year, the deadline for submitting fertilisation accounts for 2020 has been moved to 31 March.

DAERA Minister Gordon Lyons said that the extensions were due to COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the ability of farmers to meet with form fillers and department staff.

“It is essential that this is done in accordance with public health guidance and COVID-19 restrictions,” he said.

NI farming and net zero webinar

The NI Institute of Agricultural Science (NIIAS) is hosting an online event about new recommendations to cut greenhouse gas emissions in NI.

The Climate Change Committee (CCC), an advisory body to the UK government, has stated that NI could achieve an 82% reduction in emissions by 2050.

Indra Thillainathan, a senior analyst at the CCC, will speak about the proposals that have been made for the NI economy, in particular the farming industry. She will also discuss other UK-wide recommendations, including changing consumer diets away from dairy and meat products.

The free webinar takes place on Thursday 18th February 2021 at 7pm. Pre-registration is required by emailing secretary@niias.co.uk.

UFU push for protein crop decision

A decision needs to be made on the final payment rate for growing protein crops in NI, the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has said.

In December, DAERA announced proposals for a scheme where arable farmers could be paid £330/ha for growing peas, beans and lupins during 2021.

“We urge Minister Lyons to let farmers know what conclusion DAERA have come to on protein crop payments. The season is moving on and farmers have been left in a state of limbo as they await confirmation,” said UFU deputy president William Irvine.

He also urged local farmers to make sure they have a market outlet for their protein crop before purchasing and planting seed.