Consultation on the Equality Impact Assessment of the Agri-Environment Programme and Less Favoured Areas Compensatory Allowances Scheme

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is carrying out a consultation on the equality aspects of the Agri-environment Programme (AEP) and the Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances Scheme (LFACAS). These schemes are part of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme (NIRDP) 2007-2013. The AEP contains two schemes; the Northern Ireland Countryside Management Scheme (NICMS) and the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS). The NICMS assists farmers to farm in a way which is beneficial to the environment, while the OFS helps farmers meet the additional costs and loss of income that occurs during the change to organic production. The LFACAS financially assists farmers in the less favoured areas of Northern Ireland, helping them to continue to use their land and maintain the countryside. The consultation period will open on 11 January 2010 and close on 5 April 2010. We welcome your views