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There were 926 applications to join Business Development Groups (BDG) in the latest application window for the scheme, with over half (469) to join new environment-focussed discussion groups.
“Applications are currently undergoing validation and it is likely that this total will reduce as a result of this process,” a DAERA spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal.
There are currently 2,722 BDG membership agreements in place in NI. This is made up of 2,508 individuals from 2,394 farm businesses, as farmers can be part of more than one discussion group.
The BDG scheme involves sector-specific discussion groups holding six meetings each year. Membership agreements require participants to attend at least four of these meetings.
The DAERA spokesperson said that attendance levels are “monitored and periodically reviewed”.
“Members with consistently poor attendance over an extended period have been unenrolled from the scheme,” the spokesperson confirmed.
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