Northern Ireland Executive

12/19/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/19/2025 07:03

Farmers urged to review New Farm Sustainability Standards

Farmers urged to review New Farm Sustainability Standards

Date published: 19 December 2025

Farmers should familiarise themselves with the new Farm Sustainability Standards which come into effect from 01 Jan 2026.

The new Farm Sustainability Standards (FSS) and their underpinning requirements were developed under the Sustainable Agriculture Programme, to maintain eligibility for Farm Sustainability Payment (FSP) and other agricultural schemes.

FSS applies to multiple schemes including the Farm Sustainability Payment Scheme, Protein Crop Scheme, Farming with Nature Package, Environmental Farming Scheme, Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme, Suckler Cow Scheme, and relevant Forestry Schemes. The key support available on the website includes the FSS underpinning requirements document and a short overview video setting out the seven standards.

For more detailed information regarding the standards and their underpinning requirements, and to ensure preparedness for upcoming changes, please access the website by clicking Farm Sustainability Standards (FSS) | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Notes to editors:

  1. The overall aim of the SAP is to transition to a more sustainable farming sector by seeking to implement policies and strategies that benefit our climate and environment while, supporting our economically and socially significant agri-food sector. DAERA has worked extensively with stakeholders, through the Agricultural Policy Stakeholder Group, in the design of the programme.
  2. Follow DAERA on X formerly called Twitter and Facebook.
  3. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: [email protected] or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
  4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours' service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
Northern Ireland Executive published this content on December 19, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 19, 2025 at 13:03 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]