The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has welcomed the news that funding for the third tranche of tier one of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme – Capital (FBIS-C), will be doubled creating a total of £15m. The significant increase was announced by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) minister Edwin Poots, on 27 January.
The new budget will enable more farmers to make smaller scale investments including the purchase of equipment and machinery to improve the sustainability of their farm business. The investments will have substantial benefits for the environment, animal health and welfare, farm health and safety and the wider rural economy in Northern Ireland (NI), the UFU said,
“We are pleased that Minister Poots has boosted the funding for tier one of the FBIS-C so substantially, supporting farm families to deliver on-farm developments and efficiencies. The impact of this extra funding will have positive benefits for our environment, rural economy and the sustainability of NI’s agriculture industry,” said UFU deputy president David Brown,
From early February 2021, letters of offer will begin to be issued for eligible applications for tier one of the FBIS-C.
“We encourage farmers who receive a letter of offer for the FBIS-C, to read the conditions carefully and ensure they can meet all the requirements to avail of funding. If they are in any doubt, they should contact Countryside Services for advice,” said Brown.