NI Adds Extra to NR

NI Adds Extra to NR

NORTHERN IRELAND is to establish two extra categories of farmers who will be able to apply for entitlements from the national reserve.

The first of these covers those farmers who, under current scheme rules, used land located south of the border to support livestock claims made in the north. As this land will no longer be able to support the single farm payment, these “cross border” farmers will qualify for a top-up from the national reserve. 

A second category is being established to help landowners who wish to convert some of their land to forestry. As in the Republic of Ireland, these farmers will be able to “stack” their entitlements on a reduced area, with the national reserve providing the mechanism for this consolidation.

 In keeping with the other three regions of the UK, new entrants will also qualify for the reserve (see top story).