Public back increased investment for nature-friendly farming as RSPB NI brings message to Stormont 

New polling commissioned by RSPB NI shows strong public backing for greater investment in nature-friendly farming, with 68% supporting increased public investment to help farmers produce food sustainably while addressing the nature and climate crisis. 

RSPB NI gathered at Stormont today, as DAERA launched its phase 2 of the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme (FwNT), introducing funding for a number of environmental actions on farms – it stresses that further investment will be needed to deliver for both farmers and nature. The charity called on MLAs: increase investment in nature-friendly farming, with recent data showing public support.  

 
The charity is calling for a significant increase in the budget allocation for long-term, well-funded agri-environment schemes, supported by tailored advice services, to help farmers produce food sustainably while restoring habitats and reversing wildlife declines. 
 
Recognising that over 75% of Northern Ireland is farmed, agricultural policy is central to wildlife recovery, water quality and climate resilience. However, Northern Ireland has been falling behind the rest of the UK and Ireland, with the State of Nature Report 2023 showing it has the lowest proportion of land in agri-environment schemes. 

Joanne Sherwood, RSPB NI Director said:   
“We welcome the continued rollout of the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme and the new actions being introduced this year. This is a step in the right direction, and we would encourage farmers to explore the options available. However, much more support will be needed to meet the scale of the challenge, including a greater share of the budget allocated to agri-environment schemes. 

Nature-friendly farming is essential if we are serious about restoring wildlife while producing food sustainably. Farmers want to do the right thing, but they need proper support to deliver for nature, water quality and climate resilience.” 

Mark McCormick, RSPB NI Sustainable Agricultural Policy Officer added: “Many farmers across Northern Ireland have been left uncertain following the withdrawal of the previous agri-environment scheme, so the continued rollout of the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme is very welcome. However, significant gaps remain, particularly the lack of support for maintaining existing farmland habitats created under previous schemes or managed voluntarily, leaving farmers already delivering for nature at a disadvantage.  

Investing in nature-friendly farming means supporting both existing habitats and new actions, giving farmers the long-term certainty they need while strengthening food security, economic resilience and wildlife recovery.” 

This comes against the backdrop of the Climate Change Committee’s Fourth Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk, which highlights that farming is already being significantly affected by climate change, including through flooding and drought. It identifies escalating challenges, including soil degradation and pressures on productivity, and warns that current adaptation efforts are not keeping pace with the scale of the risks ahead. 

RSPB NI is encouraging the public to contact their local MLAs to urge them to stand up for farmers and nature by backing increased investment and resources for nature-friendly farming, using the e-action here: https://tinyurl.com/RSPBNICampaign