AQW 17658/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 20/04/2021
Answered On Date: 06/05/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what discussions his Department has had with (i) farmers; and (ii) industry representatives in relation to promoting wildlife-friendly farming techniques.

Answer:

Protecting and enhancing our biodiversity and wildlife is a key priority for my Department, as is the delivery of more wildlife-friendly farming. My officials engage with farmers and farming stakeholders on policy initiatives and schemes designed to enhance the natural environment for biodiversity and wildlife.

Through the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) my Department delivers Knowledge Transfer, Innovation and Technology Transfer programmes, which aim to improve future performance, sustainability and resilience of the agri-food industry.

My Department’s Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) supports farmers and land managers to carry out environmentally beneficial farming practices on agricultural land. CAFRE delivers training to all Environmental Farming Scheme participants, including on the wildlife friendly options within this scheme.

CAFRE also deal directly with farmers through Business Development Groups, which provide a training forum that allows sharing of knowledge (peer-to-peer learning) with the aim of improving technical efficiency and environmental performance. Wildlife friendly farming techniques are a key component of the Environmental Business Development Groups.

NIEA is working with a number of partners to develop a series of conservation management plans for our Special Areas of Conservation, involving engagement with key stakeholders over the necessary conservation measures, largely delivered through wildlife friendly farming.

My Department continues to engage farmers and the industry around current and future policy development, along with practical implementation of the necessary measures and this will continue as we move towards delivery of key national and international commitments.

Work is underway to develop the future agri-environment policy framework for Northern Ireland. Engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including farmers, the agricultural industry, and environmental sector, will be required to inform development of future agri-environment schemes and associated policy instruments. Initial meetings with UFU and the Nature Friendly Farming Network have taken place.