Farm maps project to get underway - Gildernew

Farming Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has announced that a £4.8million project to review the Department’s Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) is now underway.

The Minister set up the LPIS Improvement project to systematically review and, where necessary, correct each of the 742,000 fields currently used to claim Single Farm Payment (SFP) and other area aids schemes. The project uses specialised aerial photographs known as ortho-imagery to produce maps, and is being delivered as a joint project between DARD and Land and Property Services (an executive agency within the Department of Finance and Personnel). The project draws on the Land and Property Services’ expertise in surveying and producing maps and is funded under the Executive’s ‘Invest to Save’ programme.

Announcing the LPIS Improvement project, the Minister said: “It is unfortunate that the EU decided to take a hard line and impose a £31m disallowance for the 2004-6 scheme years at such a difficult economic time both for the Executive and the wider economy as a whole.  That said, the EU decision has been made and we have to move to mitigate future disallowance.”

Outlining the planned work of the project the Minister said: “I believe we must now focus firmly on ensuring that we improve our situation as quickly as possible. This is why I have set up this review of the farm mapping system. Some sixty technical staff have been redeployed from Planning Service to DFP’s Land and Property Services to carry out this review.

“Their task will not be an easy one with almost three quarters of a million fields to be reviewed. Given the complexities involved, since April my Department has been working with Land and Property Services to establish the technical rules to recognise eligible land and exclude ineligible features on maps.  We expect to begin producing revised maps for farmers by early 2011.”

She added: “I want to make it very clear that the issue of disallowance is not just a Government responsibility. Farmers must make a greater effort to check their farm maps more closely and inform DARD of any changes or inaccuracies in these. This mapping project can only deliver if map revisions are taken seriously by farmers when they are completing their SFP Applications.

“The quicker we can identify areas which are ineligible for specific claims and get them corrected, the sooner we can address EU criticisms and provide reassurance. In the meantime, I will continue to fight the existing disallowance threat with support from the local industry and our three MEPS.”

In conclusion the Minister said: “I wish to thank my Executive colleagues for moving swiftly to approve funding for this project under the Executive’s Invest to Save Fund and particularly, the Environment and Finance Ministers for their co-operation on getting the necessary staffing and finance in place so quickly to allow the farm mapping project to get underway.

“The mapping project is a key step forward and I am hopeful as the project progresses that the EU will recognise our efforts and work with us to reduce the potential for disallowance in future years.”

Notes to editors:

1. The DARD LPIS (Land Parcel Identification System) Improvement project: will be carried out in partnership with Land and Property Services (LPS). LPS are an executive agency within the Department of Finance and Personnel and were previously known as Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.
2. All media queries should be directed to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.