Agri-environment Management Plans
Agri-environment Management Plans
- Whole Farm Requirements
- Grasslands
- Bird Breeding, Feeding and Nesting Sites
- Wetlands
- Moorland and Raised Bogs
- Woodland, Scrub and Parkland
- Archaeological Features
- Field Boundary Restoration
- Grass Margins
- Arable
- Traditional Orchards
- Capital Items
- Control of Rushes and Scrub
1.1 General scheme requirements (96 KB)
Agri-environment scheme participants must adhere to the following general requirements for the whole farm, in addition to following specific Management Plans for each farm and optional habitat under agreement.
1.2 Good farming practice (92 KB)
All participants in Agri-environment schemes must follow Good Farming Practice. GFP consists of three elements- Legislation, verifiable standards and Codes.
1.3 Field boundary management (116 KB)
Definition: field boundary management covers the general management of all on farm boundaries such as hedges, stone walls, stone banks and earth banks. Managing field boundaries is a compulsory aspect of all Agri-environment schemes.
1.4 Farm waste management (212 KB)
Definition: farm waste management covers the responsible storage, collection and disposal of all farm waste and the preparation and implementation of a farm waste management plan.
Agri-environment scheme participants must adhere to the following general requirements for the whole farm, in addition to following specific Management Plans for each farm and optional habitat under agreement.
1.2 Good farming practice (92 KB)
All participants in Agri-environment schemes must follow Good Farming Practice. GFP consists of three elements- Legislation, verifiable standards and Codes.
1.3 Field boundary management (116 KB)
Definition: field boundary management covers the general management of all on farm boundaries such as hedges, stone walls, stone banks and earth banks. Managing field boundaries is a compulsory aspect of all Agri-environment schemes.
1.4 Farm waste management (212 KB)
Definition: farm waste management covers the responsible storage, collection and disposal of all farm waste and the preparation and implementation of a farm waste management plan.
2.1 Unimproved grassland (116 KB)
Definition: unimproved grassland is permanent grassland, which has not been cultivated for some years.
2.2 Species rich dry and calcareous grassland (128 KB)
Definition: Species rich dry and calcareous grassland occurs on moderately well drained and/or calcareous soils.
2.3 Species rich wet grassland (132 KB)
Definition: Species rich wet grassland occurs on poorly drained soils
2.4 Species rich grassland cut for hay (116 KB)
Definition: if more than five indicator wildflower, grass or sedge species are located in an area of one square metre at six out of ten random points in the field area and the field is traditionally cut for hay, then it is ‘species rich’ grassland cut for hay.
Definition: unimproved grassland is permanent grassland, which has not been cultivated for some years.
2.2 Species rich dry and calcareous grassland (128 KB)
Definition: Species rich dry and calcareous grassland occurs on moderately well drained and/or calcareous soils.
2.3 Species rich wet grassland (132 KB)
Definition: Species rich wet grassland occurs on poorly drained soils
2.4 Species rich grassland cut for hay (116 KB)
Definition: if more than five indicator wildflower, grass or sedge species are located in an area of one square metre at six out of ten random points in the field area and the field is traditionally cut for hay, then it is ‘species rich’ grassland cut for hay.
3.1 Breeding wader sites (128 KB)
Definition: breeding wader sites are fields of improved, unimproved or rough pastures with at least one breeding pair of curlew, redshank or snipe.
3.2 Lapwing breeding sites (124 KB)
Definition: lapwing (or peewit) sites are fields of improved or unimproved grassland with at least one pair of breeding lapwing.
3.3 Chough option (92 KB)
Definition: the chough option is available to farmers who farm within a targeted area along the North Antrim coastline of the Antrim Coast, Glens and Rathlin Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) on which the chough feed.
3.4 Winter feeding sites for swans and geese (104 KB)
Definition: winter feeding sites for swans and geese are fields of improved grassland, winter cereals or winter oilseed rape that are regularly used for grazing, by a minimum of twenty five migratory swans and/or geese per hectare, during the period October to March.
Definition: breeding wader sites are fields of improved, unimproved or rough pastures with at least one breeding pair of curlew, redshank or snipe.
3.2 Lapwing breeding sites (124 KB)
Definition: lapwing (or peewit) sites are fields of improved or unimproved grassland with at least one pair of breeding lapwing.
3.3 Chough option (92 KB)
Definition: the chough option is available to farmers who farm within a targeted area along the North Antrim coastline of the Antrim Coast, Glens and Rathlin Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) on which the chough feed.
3.4 Winter feeding sites for swans and geese (104 KB)
Definition: winter feeding sites for swans and geese are fields of improved grassland, winter cereals or winter oilseed rape that are regularly used for grazing, by a minimum of twenty five migratory swans and/or geese per hectare, during the period October to March.
4.1 Fen, swamp and reedbeds (104 KB)
Definition: wetlands have a naturally high watertable. They are usually flooded for part of the year and remain wet until at least the middle of June.
Definition: wetlands have a naturally high watertable. They are usually flooded for part of the year and remain wet until at least the middle of June.
5.1 Heather Moorland (156 KB)
Definition: there are four types of heather moorland – dry heath, wet heath, blanket bog and degraded heath.
5.2 Rough moorland grazing (104 KB)
Definition: rough moorland grazing is widespread in the uplands and marginal hill land and is dominated by coarse grasses such as purple moor grass, matt grass, tufted hair grass, cotton grasses, wavy hair grass, heath rush, soft rush and sedges.
5.3 Lowland raised bog (132 KB)
Definition: lowland raised bog's occur in low-lying areas where a dome of peat has accumulated high above the surrounding land.
Definition: there are four types of heather moorland – dry heath, wet heath, blanket bog and degraded heath.
5.2 Rough moorland grazing (104 KB)
Definition: rough moorland grazing is widespread in the uplands and marginal hill land and is dominated by coarse grasses such as purple moor grass, matt grass, tufted hair grass, cotton grasses, wavy hair grass, heath rush, soft rush and sedges.
5.3 Lowland raised bog (132 KB)
Definition: lowland raised bog's occur in low-lying areas where a dome of peat has accumulated high above the surrounding land.
6.1 Woodland (124 KB)
Definition: woodlands are areas where the tree canopy covers at least fifty per cent of the ground area.
6.2 Scrub (112 KB)
Definition: scrub is an area dominated by at least fifty per cent cover of shrubs, stunted trees or brambles.
6.3 Parkland (120 KB)
Definition: parkland is a term used to describe areas of open grassland with widely spaced mature trees within an historic designed landscape.
Definition: woodlands are areas where the tree canopy covers at least fifty per cent of the ground area.
6.2 Scrub (112 KB)
Definition: scrub is an area dominated by at least fifty per cent cover of shrubs, stunted trees or brambles.
6.3 Parkland (120 KB)
Definition: parkland is a term used to describe areas of open grassland with widely spaced mature trees within an historic designed landscape.
7.1 Archaeological Features (92 KB)
Definition: to date 50,500 historic monuments and archaeological features have been identified in Northern Ireland; all of these are unique and irreplaceable.
Definition: to date 50,500 historic monuments and archaeological features have been identified in Northern Ireland; all of these are unique and irreplaceable.
8.1 Hedge regeneration and planting (184 KB)
Definition: well-managed hedges provide food and shelter for wildlife, a barrier to livestock, help stop spread of disease, provide shelter to livestock, are an important part of our landscape and define the boundaries of the farm.
8.2 Restoration of dry stone walls (120 KB)
Definition: dry stonewalls are an important part of the landscape. While may dry stonewalls have been well maintained and remain effective stockproof barriers, others are now in need of rebuilding.
8.3 Reinstatement of sod banks (180 KB)
Definition: earthen banks, or sod banks, as they are locally known, form the basis of boundaries mainly on the higher areas of Northern Ireland where hedgerows could not grow.
Definition: well-managed hedges provide food and shelter for wildlife, a barrier to livestock, help stop spread of disease, provide shelter to livestock, are an important part of our landscape and define the boundaries of the farm.
8.2 Restoration of dry stone walls (120 KB)
Definition: dry stonewalls are an important part of the landscape. While may dry stonewalls have been well maintained and remain effective stockproof barriers, others are now in need of rebuilding.
8.3 Reinstatement of sod banks (180 KB)
Definition: earthen banks, or sod banks, as they are locally known, form the basis of boundaries mainly on the higher areas of Northern Ireland where hedgerows could not grow.
9.1 Ungrazed grass margins (100 KB)
Definition: an ungrazed grass margin is a strip of land, a minimum width of two metres , rom which livestock are excluded.
9.2 Ungrazed grass margins planted with native trees (148 KB)
Definition: an ungrazed grass margin with native trees is a strip of land, a minimum width of two metres, which is ungrazed and planted with native broadleaf trees and shrubs.
Definition: an ungrazed grass margin is a strip of land, a minimum width of two metres , rom which livestock are excluded.
9.2 Ungrazed grass margins planted with native trees (148 KB)
Definition: an ungrazed grass margin with native trees is a strip of land, a minimum width of two metres, which is ungrazed and planted with native broadleaf trees and shrubs.
10.1 Retention of winter stubble (96 KB)
Definition: stubbles of cereals or oilseed rape are eligible where straw is removed as soon as practicable after harvest and the stubble retained until 15th February the following year.
10.2 Conservation cereal (108 KB)
Definition: conservation cereals are cereals on which the use of pesticides is restricted with the aim of allowing a greater range of broad-leaved weeds in the crop.
10.3 Wild bird cover (132 KB)
Definition: wild bird cover is a spring sown crop mixture, sown on improved or arable ground, which is left unharvested to provide food for farmland birds.
10.4 Undersown cereals (104 KB)
Definition: undersown cereals are spring cereals, established after 15th February, which are undersown with a grass and clover ley mixture containing at least ten per cent clover by weight.
10.5 Rough grass margins (104 KB)
Definition: a rough grass field margin is a strip of land, sown with a recommended grass seed mixture (see below).
10.6 Lapwing fallow plots (96 KB)
Definition: lapwing will nest in fields of spring cereals and potatoes, especially if there is damp, grazing land nearby for chick feeding.
Definition: stubbles of cereals or oilseed rape are eligible where straw is removed as soon as practicable after harvest and the stubble retained until 15th February the following year.
10.2 Conservation cereal (108 KB)
Definition: conservation cereals are cereals on which the use of pesticides is restricted with the aim of allowing a greater range of broad-leaved weeds in the crop.
10.3 Wild bird cover (132 KB)
Definition: wild bird cover is a spring sown crop mixture, sown on improved or arable ground, which is left unharvested to provide food for farmland birds.
10.4 Undersown cereals (104 KB)
Definition: undersown cereals are spring cereals, established after 15th February, which are undersown with a grass and clover ley mixture containing at least ten per cent clover by weight.
10.5 Rough grass margins (104 KB)
Definition: a rough grass field margin is a strip of land, sown with a recommended grass seed mixture (see below).
10.6 Lapwing fallow plots (96 KB)
Definition: lapwing will nest in fields of spring cereals and potatoes, especially if there is damp, grazing land nearby for chick feeding.
11.1 Traditional orchards - recreation (172 KB)
Definition: areas of unimproved and improved grassland suitable for planting with native fruit varieties.
Definition: areas of unimproved and improved grassland suitable for planting with native fruit varieties.
12.1 Protective fencing (172 KB)
Properly erected fences are required to protect new hedges and hedges that have been laid or coppiced.
12.2 Parkland tree guards (148 KB)
Newly planted trees require protection from livestock.
12.3 Heather regeneration (148 KB)
Well-managed heather is a tremendous asset, to the farm, providing a valuable grazing resource for sheep and cattle.
12.4 Bracken control (116 KB)
Bracken is a very invasive weed on agricultural land and can be damaging to conservation interest of wildlife habitats such as heather moorland, rough moorland grazing and lowland raised bogs.
12.5 Bird boxes (156 KB)
The provision of nest boxes for birds and roosting boxes for bats can help replace natural locations lost through changes in farming practice.
12.6 Squirrel feeders (120 KB)
Red squirrels were once widespread over much of Ireland but numbers have declined greatly over the past fifty years.
12.7 Traditional wooden gates (156 KB)
Grant aid is available for the provision or replacement of traditional gates associated with agricultural use (those erected purely for amenity purposes will NOT be eligible, nor will galvanised tubular gates).
12.8 Traditional metal gates (156 KB)
Grant aid is available for the provision or replacement of traditional gates associated with agricultural use (those erected purely for amenity purposes will NOT be eligible, neither will normal galvanised tubular gates).
12.9 Composite gates (216 KB)
Grant aid is available for the provision or replacement of traditional gates associated with agricultural use (those erected purely for amenity purposes will NOT be eligible, nor will galvanised tubular gates).
12.10 Traditional pillars and posts (128 KB)
Grant aid is available for the provision or replacement of traditional gates associated with agricultural use. The pillars and gateposts must be traditional to the area, usually stone built pillars or wooden gateposts.
12.11 Traditional farm buildings (132 KB)
Grant aid may be paid on an actual cost basis with the submission of appropriate receipts, provided DARD deems the cost reasonable.
12.12 Actual costs - receipts (128 KB)
All invoices and receipts should be checked to ensure that they comply with the following.
12.13 Managing used farm plastics (296 KB)
The use of plastics on farms is unavoidable and increasing. It is an extremely versatile material used for covering silos, wrapping bales, covering crops and as a packaging material for almost everything that arrives in the farmyard.
Properly erected fences are required to protect new hedges and hedges that have been laid or coppiced.
12.2 Parkland tree guards (148 KB)
Newly planted trees require protection from livestock.
12.3 Heather regeneration (148 KB)
Well-managed heather is a tremendous asset, to the farm, providing a valuable grazing resource for sheep and cattle.
12.4 Bracken control (116 KB)
Bracken is a very invasive weed on agricultural land and can be damaging to conservation interest of wildlife habitats such as heather moorland, rough moorland grazing and lowland raised bogs.
12.5 Bird boxes (156 KB)
The provision of nest boxes for birds and roosting boxes for bats can help replace natural locations lost through changes in farming practice.
12.6 Squirrel feeders (120 KB)
Red squirrels were once widespread over much of Ireland but numbers have declined greatly over the past fifty years.
12.7 Traditional wooden gates (156 KB)
Grant aid is available for the provision or replacement of traditional gates associated with agricultural use (those erected purely for amenity purposes will NOT be eligible, nor will galvanised tubular gates).
12.8 Traditional metal gates (156 KB)
Grant aid is available for the provision or replacement of traditional gates associated with agricultural use (those erected purely for amenity purposes will NOT be eligible, neither will normal galvanised tubular gates).
12.9 Composite gates (216 KB)
Grant aid is available for the provision or replacement of traditional gates associated with agricultural use (those erected purely for amenity purposes will NOT be eligible, nor will galvanised tubular gates).
12.10 Traditional pillars and posts (128 KB)
Grant aid is available for the provision or replacement of traditional gates associated with agricultural use. The pillars and gateposts must be traditional to the area, usually stone built pillars or wooden gateposts.
12.11 Traditional farm buildings (132 KB)
Grant aid may be paid on an actual cost basis with the submission of appropriate receipts, provided DARD deems the cost reasonable.
12.12 Actual costs - receipts (128 KB)
All invoices and receipts should be checked to ensure that they comply with the following.
12.13 Managing used farm plastics (296 KB)
The use of plastics on farms is unavoidable and increasing. It is an extremely versatile material used for covering silos, wrapping bales, covering crops and as a packaging material for almost everything that arrives in the farmyard.
13.1 Control of rushes (120 KB)
Rush tussocks provide nesting sites for waders such as curlew and snipe and small birds such as meadow pipit. Rushes also provide cover for the Irish hare. A small amount of rush is thus acceptable, but too much is undesirable and must be controlled.
13.2 Control of scrub (116 KB)
Blackthorn and whin (European gorse) scrub are valuable wildlife and landscape features however they can be invasive.
Rush tussocks provide nesting sites for waders such as curlew and snipe and small birds such as meadow pipit. Rushes also provide cover for the Irish hare. A small amount of rush is thus acceptable, but too much is undesirable and must be controlled.
13.2 Control of scrub (116 KB)
Blackthorn and whin (European gorse) scrub are valuable wildlife and landscape features however they can be invasive.
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