Minister Poots extends deadline for the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Edwin Poots has extended the period for farmers in Zone 1 to register online for the new Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS). The closing date for registration is now extended to 31 August 2022.

Minister Poots continued: “The SNHS is a large and innovative scheme representing an investment of up to £45million in our farming sector. Participating in the scheme will provide farmers with vital detailed information on managing soil nutrients and farm carbon. Crucially, it will be a requirement for farmers to have participated in the SNHS if they wish to receive payments under future support schemes from 2024, such as the new Farm Sustainability and Beef Sustainability Payments which may be very important income streams for farms.

“Due to the fact that we are making this scheme available to all farmers in NI – it has to be rolled out in zones over the next four years. So farmers will only be able to register for the scheme when it is made available in their area. Therefore, as roll out has commenced for farmers in Zone 1, it is vital that they register online before 31 August 2022 to avail of the scheme.”

The Minister added: “I understand there is some concern out there among farmers that the data collected in the SNHS could be used for enforcement purposes. So I want to reassure them that this is not the case and that their individualised data will not be used for any enforcement purposes by officials.”

Farmers can register for the SNHS via DAERA online services in a similar way to entering their single application form, or they can authorise their agent to apply on their behalf. Alternatively, they can book an appointment in their local DAERA office where trained Customer Service Branch staff will complete the application for them. 

Notes to editors: 

AFBI is an arms-length body of DAERA delivering research and development, diagnostic and analytical testing, emergency response capability and expert scientific advice for DAERA and other government departments, public bodies and commercial companies in Northern Ireland, and further afield.

AFBI’s Vision is “Advancing the Local and Global Agri-Food Sectors Through Scientific Excellence”.

AFBI’s core areas:

• Leading improvements in the agri-food industry;
• Protecting animal, plant and human health;
• Enhancing the natural and marine environment.

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