Survey offers strong endorsement for agri-environment schemes - O'Neill

Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA has welcomed the positive results from a survey of agri-environment scheme participants.
~ Tuesday, 28 June 2011

DARD’s Countryside Management Unit (CMU) and the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) worked together to investigate satisfaction levels with various aspects of the schemes. The survey was carried out by students studying Communications at CAFRE’s Loughry Campus.

Responding to the final report, the Minister said: “This survey has highlighted that in general farmers enjoy participating in agri-environment schemes and believe that the schemes bring benefits to their farm businesses and our local countryside. I would pay tribute to my predecessor, Michelle Gildernew, who initiated this survey after meeting with hill farmers concerned about the impact of the scheme on traditional farming practices and heather moorland.”

Turning to the details of the report, the Minister added: “The survey highlights the many benefits of the schemes. With over half of the respondents noticing an improvement in the wildlife on their farms, and many finding an increase in the numbers of small birds and other wildlife. It will also help in building up an overall picture of the success of such schemes and in shaping new schemes in the future.

“It recognises that the main benefits of participating in the schemes were income (70% of participants), closely followed by improvement to landscape (64%) and benefit to wildlife (57%).

“A small number of respondents did comment that they felt some habitat management requirements presented them with difficulties and did not necessarily have a positive environmental benefit. Others raised concern about the management requirements of their agri-environment scheme compared to those for the Single Farm Payment Scheme. Anyone who has queries on any element of agri-environment schemes should contact Countryside Management Delivery Branch staff at their local DARD office.”

In conclusion, she said: “The results present a generally positive snapshot of the current state of play among agri-environment participants and suggests a strong endorsement of these schemes. Areas for improvement have also been identified and my department will look into the issues raised. I would like to thank all farmers who took the time to complete the questionnaire. The work of the students is also very much appreciated and I hope that this valuable learning experience helps them after completion of their course.”

A summary of the results are available on the DARD website.

Notes to editors:

1. The new Countryside Management Scheme is funded under the NI Rural Development Plan 2007 – 2013. There were 915 participants who claimed their payments on the 2010 Single Application Form.
2. Agreements for the previous Countryside Management Scheme (CMS) and Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) Scheme were signed prior to 2007 and payments are claimed annually around the anniversary date of the agreement commencing. There are approximately 11,400 participants in the CMS and ESA Scheme.
3. The survey was carried out in April 2011 and 127 responses were received. The survey used random sample of participants from the Countryside Management Scheme, Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme and NI Countryside Management Scheme.
4. All media queries should be directed to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619 or email mailto:pressoffice.group@dardni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.