Northern Ireland’s (NI) department of agriculture, environment and rural affairs (Daera) will soon send the UK department for environment, food and rural affairs (Defra) a document with options for NI’s agricultural policy during the UK’s implementation (transition) period and after it leaves the EU, Farmers Journal Scotland understands.

The paper has been drafted by civil servants and industry representatives. NI has not yet formed a government since its government collapsed in January 2017.

Draft proposals

Daera’s draft proposals include retaining area-based payments for active farmers but scrapping greening rules, so that the current greening payment becomes part of the overall basic payment scheme.

It is unclear what would happen to the transition of area-based payments to a flat rate by 2021. By 2019 (the end of the current budget period), all payments will have moved five of the seven steps (71.4%).

Whether this process continues to fully flat rate (around €330 (£293)/ha) by 2021 is probably for a Daera minister to decide.

Flexibility

Flexibility to make these changes will depend on whether the UK remains part of the CAP during the implementation period.

After 2022 and once the UK has completed its exit from the EU, NI agricultural policy would be shaped around increasing productivity; improving resilience; environmental sustainability and an improved supply chain.