AQW 18444/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

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

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail the steps taken, and planned, to restore grasslands in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

My Department has a range of measures in place to protect and restore grasslands in Northern Ireland.

The Environmental Farming Scheme offers support to farmers and land managers to maintain and enhance the environmental quality of certain grassland types through appropriate management regimes. Previous agri-environment schemes also offered similar support, including management of Species-rich, Semi-natural and Semi-improved grassland types.

In addition to support for the maintenance and restoration of certain grassland types through EFS, my Department also works closely with key stakeholders on the implementation of an INTERREG Va project for managing sensitive grassland habitats at Cuilcagh Mountain SAC. My Department is planning to support further restoration activities through the development of the PEACE+ programme, which aims to build on this work and expand through Nature Recovery Networks.

My Department is also developing a series of Conservation Management Plans which aim to identify the habitat types across the majority of the Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) within Northern Ireland. After assessing pressure and threats and close engagement with key stakeholders, these plans will outline the necessary conservation measures for maintenance and restoration of habitat types, including grasslands.

NIEA Natural Environment Division (NED) provides grant aid through the Environment Fund (EF) for not-for-profit organisations to work in partnership to support and undertake habitat management including grasslands. An EF Environmental Challenge Fund is currently open for applications and includes opportunities for funding of priority habitats including grassland projects.

In addition, the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations protect grasslands by requiring farmers and landowners to apply to my Department for permission, above certain thresholds, before altering the use or management of areas of uncultivated or semi-natural land, including grasslands.

My Department’s Cross-Compliance rules also aim to ensure protection of grassland through a range of measures, including the prevention of over-grazing, poaching and soil erosion. Furthermore, I have retained a ban on ploughing or conversion of Environmentally Sensitive Permanent Grassland under Basic Payment Scheme rules.

Looking forward, my officials are working with farmers and land managers, agricultural industry representatives and environmental stakeholders to co-design a future agri-environment scheme. The scheme will help farmers to deliver a range of environmental outcomes, including improvements in water and air quality, biodiversity in a range of habitats, including grasslands, and reductions in carbon emissions.