AQW 28429/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 20/01/2022
Answered On Date: 01/02/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, following the launch of the Sustainable Farming Incentive by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs last month, whether he intends to introduce a similar scheme in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

In August 2021, I published the Future Agricultural Policy Framework Portfolio for Northern Ireland, setting out my vision for the future direction of farming support. That framework portfolio is set around four key outcomes: increased productivity, environmental sustainability, improved resilience and an effective functioning supply chain.

I launched a major consultation on my detailed policy proposals to achieve these outcomes just prior to Christmas and I am encouraging everyone to respond to that consultation, so that, together, we can develop a future sustainable industry.