A new poll commissioned by RSPB NI shows that 68% of people in Northern Ireland support increased public investment to help farmers produce food sustainably while addressing the nature and climate crisis. The findings were presented at Stormont as the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) launched Phase 2 of its Farming with Nature Transition Scheme. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir attended the event.

The new scheme phase introduces public funding for a range of environmental actions on farms. However, RSPB NI warned that Northern Ireland is falling behind other parts of the UK and Ireland, with the lowest proportion of land enrolled in agri-environment schemes according to the State of Nature Report 2023.

Joanne Sherwood, Director of RSPB NI, said the continued rollout of the scheme was a step forward but stressed that much more support would be needed. She argued that nature-friendly farming is essential to restoring wildlife while maintaining food production, and that farmers want to act but need proper backing, including a greater share of the overall budget.

The charity also raised concerns about the impact of the withdrawal of previous agri-environment schemes, saying many farmers had been left uncertain and lack support for maintaining existing farmland habitats. It called for investment covering both new environmental actions and the preservation of habitats already created, giving farmers long-term certainty to invest in their land.

RSPB NI referenced the Climate Change Committee’s latest independent assessment of UK climate risk, which warns that farming is increasingly affected by flooding, drought and soil degradation, and that current adaptation efforts are not keeping pace with the risks.

The organisation is encouraging the public to contact MLAs via its online campaign to push for long-term funding for agri-environment schemes and tailored advice services for farmers.

RSPB NI works with more than 400 farmers across Northern Ireland, supporting species such as curlew, yellowhammer and lapwing. It has over 12,000 members and around 500 volunteers and a network of nature reserves.