Eco-friendly farming encouraged under new scheme

Financial support is being made available to farmers who can make their operations more environmentally friendly.

Government says the Agri-Environment Scheme, which launches next Thursday (April 1), will encourage farmers to make changes on their land which will see a productive food chain delivered alongside improvements which will help mitigate climate change.

Environment, Food & Agriculture Minister, Geoffrey Boot MHK, says: "Our hard working farmers are the custodians of our environment and this targeted support will help them play an even bigger role with payment based on results. 

"It also supports the Island’s climate change goals, encourages habitat creation, boosts bio-diversity and delivers on our UNESCO Biosphere targets."

Meanwhile, an upland stewardship scheme is aiming to create an upland management plan which will focus on protecting peat stores and wild flowers in upland regions of the Island.

All active farmers will be eligible to apply for the initiatives and application forms are available online on the government website or by requesting a hard copy from DEFA.