AQW 7080/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 21/02/2024
Answered On Date: 08/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (i) for an update on the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme; and (ii) what plans there are to extend the area covered by this scheme.

Answer:

(i) Since its launch in 2022, there has been excellent uptake of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme. Over 90% of farm businesses in Zones 1 and 2 have registered for soil sampling and analysis. This includes over 340,000 fields in Counties Down, Armagh and Fermanagh, and the southern parts of Counties Antrim and Tyrone.

(ii) I plan to extend the Scheme by opening Zone 3 in June this year and Zone 4 in 2025, meaning that sampling and analysis across all counties will be completed in 2026.