Agri-Environment Scheme Questions
Frequently Asked Questions for the Northern Ireland Countryside Management Scheme (NICMS)
1. When is the application period for NICMS?
30th June 2008 to 29th August 2008
30th June 2008 to 29th August 2008
2. What are the eligibility criteria?
NICMS is open to all farmers and land managers with a trading DARD Farm Business Identification Number and with at least 3 hectares of eligible land.
NICMS is open to all farmers and land managers with a trading DARD Farm Business Identification Number and with at least 3 hectares of eligible land.
3. What do I do if I do not have a trading DARD Business Identification Number?
You can get advice on how to obtain a trading DARD Business Identification Number from your local DARD office.
You can get advice on how to obtain a trading DARD Business Identification Number from your local DARD office.
4. I am in an existing agri-environment scheme (ESA / CMS) can I enter into this scheme?
Yes however in the event of too many applications for the scheme, applications may have to be prioritised. Existing scheme holders will have a lower priority than applicants with designated sites or with no existing agreements.
Yes however in the event of too many applications for the scheme, applications may have to be prioritised. Existing scheme holders will have a lower priority than applicants with designated sites or with no existing agreements.
5. How do I apply to join the NICMS?
Application may be a two stage process.
Stage 1.
You should contact us by telephone, in person at a DARD office, email (cmbenquiries@dardni.gov.uk), fax or in writing.
You should provide us with the following information:
1. DARD Farm Business Identification Number; and
2. Details of leased land (not conacre) you wish to enter into the Scheme.
Your eligibility to join the Scheme will be checked. You will be issued with a report giving details of what land is eligible for the Scheme. If you are not eligible, you will be provided with a reason why. If you decide to proceed with your application when the initial contact is by telephone or calling into a DARD office, we will acknowledge your application and send you a Scheme information pack, including the NICMS Information Booklet. This means that you have registered to join the NICMS.
If you apply by email, fax or in writing, we will check the eligibility of the Business and land to enter the Scheme. We will acknowledge your application, provide details of your eligibility and if eligible, send you a Scheme information pack, including the NICMS Information Booklet.
Stage 2.
If you were undecided about proceeding when you contacted the office by telephone or in person, or if you applied by e-mail, fax or in writing, and you wish to proceed, you should contact your local DARD office to register your Scheme application.
Application may be a two stage process.
Stage 1.
You should contact us by telephone, in person at a DARD office, email (cmbenquiries@dardni.gov.uk), fax or in writing.
You should provide us with the following information:
1. DARD Farm Business Identification Number; and
2. Details of leased land (not conacre) you wish to enter into the Scheme.
Your eligibility to join the Scheme will be checked. You will be issued with a report giving details of what land is eligible for the Scheme. If you are not eligible, you will be provided with a reason why. If you decide to proceed with your application when the initial contact is by telephone or calling into a DARD office, we will acknowledge your application and send you a Scheme information pack, including the NICMS Information Booklet. This means that you have registered to join the NICMS.
If you apply by email, fax or in writing, we will check the eligibility of the Business and land to enter the Scheme. We will acknowledge your application, provide details of your eligibility and if eligible, send you a Scheme information pack, including the NICMS Information Booklet.
Stage 2.
If you were undecided about proceeding when you contacted the office by telephone or in person, or if you applied by e-mail, fax or in writing, and you wish to proceed, you should contact your local DARD office to register your Scheme application.
6. Do I have to join the NICMS?
No. Participation is voluntary, offering an annual payment in return for integrating positive environmental management into farming practices.
No. Participation is voluntary, offering an annual payment in return for integrating positive environmental management into farming practices.
7. Will participation in the NICMS affect my Single Farm Payment (SFP)?
Certain areas of land may become ineligible for SFP. You should consult with us regarding the latest advice on SFP and agri-environment management.
Certain areas of land may become ineligible for SFP. You should consult with us regarding the latest advice on SFP and agri-environment management.
8. Can I enter NICMS if I do not complete an IACS Single Application Form (SAF)?
No. Only farm businesses that have submitted an IACS SAF are eligible to apply for NICMS. If you have not previously submitted an IACS SAF you should arrange to do so at the next available application period. In all cases, NICMS participants must complete an IACS SAF to claim the annual Scheme payment.
No. Only farm businesses that have submitted an IACS SAF are eligible to apply for NICMS. If you have not previously submitted an IACS SAF you should arrange to do so at the next available application period. In all cases, NICMS participants must complete an IACS SAF to claim the annual Scheme payment.
9. Can I enter only part of my farm into the NICMS?
No. The NICMS is a "whole"farm scheme. All owned eligible land which is not leased out and is held by the farm business must be entered into the Scheme.
No. The NICMS is a "whole"farm scheme. All owned eligible land which is not leased out and is held by the farm business must be entered into the Scheme.
10. If I let my land in conacre, can I apply?
Yes. You may let your land in conacre and apply for the NICMS. You as the landowner, are responsible for complying with the Scheme requirements. You must inform the person taking the land that you are entering it into the NICMS. Whilist you may make the tenant aware of the scheme obligations and management requirements, compliance with the requirements of the Scheme remains your responsibility as the landowner and agreement holder.
Yes. You may let your land in conacre and apply for the NICMS. You as the landowner, are responsible for complying with the Scheme requirements. You must inform the person taking the land that you are entering it into the NICMS. Whilist you may make the tenant aware of the scheme obligations and management requirements, compliance with the requirements of the Scheme remains your responsibility as the landowner and agreement holder.
11. Can I enter land that I take in conacre?
No. Land leased out cannot be entered into the NICMS by the owner.
No. Land leased out cannot be entered into the NICMS by the owner.
12. If I lease my owned land can I apply?
No. Land leased out cannot be entered into NICMS by the owner.
No. Land leased out cannot be entered into NICMS by the owner.
13. As a tenant, can I enter leased in land into the NICMS?
Yes. If you have declared the land on your IACS Single Application Form (SAF) as leased, you may enter it into the NICMS. We may require proof of lease.
Yes. If you have declared the land on your IACS Single Application Form (SAF) as leased, you may enter it into the NICMS. We may require proof of lease.
14. Can I enter common or shared grazing land?
Yes. You can enter common land into the NICMS provided all the common graziers (those having shares in the common) participate in the NICMS. The commonage land will become eligible to enter an agreement when all the graziers / shareholders have made commitments to enter the Scheme. The agreement for the commonage will end on the date that any grazier's agreement ends or is terminated.
Yes. You can enter common land into the NICMS provided all the common graziers (those having shares in the common) participate in the NICMS. The commonage land will become eligible to enter an agreement when all the graziers / shareholders have made commitments to enter the Scheme. The agreement for the commonage will end on the date that any grazier's agreement ends or is terminated.
15. Can I enter ASSI / Natura 2000 land into the NICMS?
Yes. If you have land which is within an ASSI/Natura 2000 site, you can enter it into the NICMS. If the site is not in favourable condition, it can only be entered when accompanied by an "Individual Management Plan" prepared by the EHS, to bring it into favourable condition. this will be discussed at your farm audit.
Yes. If you have land which is within an ASSI/Natura 2000 site, you can enter it into the NICMS. If the site is not in favourable condition, it can only be entered when accompanied by an "Individual Management Plan" prepared by the EHS, to bring it into favourable condition. this will be discussed at your farm audit.
16. Is land with turbary rights eligible for NICMS?
Areas with turbary rights, where these rights are currently being exercised, are not eligible.
Areas with turbary rights, where these rights are currently being exercised, are not eligible.
17. Can I participate in the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) and the NICMS?
As the payments for the OFS and the NICMS are for different activities, you can participate in both schemes and on the same area of land.
As the payments for the OFS and the NICMS are for different activities, you can participate in both schemes and on the same area of land.
18. Can I claim Organic Management Option within the NICMS if I participate in the OFS?
The Organic Management option within NICMS cannot be claimed in addition to OFS payments on the same land. The Organic Management option applies to improved and semi improved land which is fully converted to organic and which remains certified as fully organic.
The Organic Management option within NICMS cannot be claimed in addition to OFS payments on the same land. The Organic Management option applies to improved and semi improved land which is fully converted to organic and which remains certified as fully organic.
19. Does my farm map need to be up to date?
It is important that your farm map is up to date, as errors can lead to delays in processing your application. Check your farm map and if it not correct, you should obtain an updated map by completing a map update form (GIS2) available from your local DARD office. This also applies to leased land that you intend to bring into the Scheme. You must confirm the accuracy of maps for leased land with the landowner.
It is important that your farm map is up to date, as errors can lead to delays in processing your application. Check your farm map and if it not correct, you should obtain an updated map by completing a map update form (GIS2) available from your local DARD office. This also applies to leased land that you intend to bring into the Scheme. You must confirm the accuracy of maps for leased land with the landowner.
20. What happens after my application has been registered?
We will issue an acknowledgement of your Scheme application. A member of Countryside Management Branch (CMB) will then contact you to make an appointment to carry out the farm audit.
We will issue an acknowledgement of your Scheme application. A member of Countryside Management Branch (CMB) will then contact you to make an appointment to carry out the farm audit.
21. What happens during the farm audit?
You or a representative must be present while the audit is being carried out. The audit consists of three parts:
1.an overview of the Scheme rules;
2. a farm nutrient and waste management advisory visit and assessment; and
3. land classification.
You or a representative must be present while the audit is being carried out. The audit consists of three parts:
1.an overview of the Scheme rules;
2. a farm nutrient and waste management advisory visit and assessment; and
3. land classification.
22. What happens during your Farm Nutrient and Waste Management assessment?
All Scheme applicants will have a compulsory farm nutrient and waste management assessment and advisory visit as part of the farm audit. CMB will complete a Farm Nutrient and Waste Management checklist with you. A completed copy of this checklist and an advisory letter will be issued to you shortly after the visit. These will identify the river catchment and the river basin in which your farm is located. CMB will also recommend any remedial works or changes in management practice that are necessary for you to comply with Scheme requirements and give you general farm nutrient management advice. You must carry out all remedial works or implement alternative management practices before signing your NICMS agreement.
All Scheme applicants will have a compulsory farm nutrient and waste management assessment and advisory visit as part of the farm audit. CMB will complete a Farm Nutrient and Waste Management checklist with you. A completed copy of this checklist and an advisory letter will be issued to you shortly after the visit. These will identify the river catchment and the river basin in which your farm is located. CMB will also recommend any remedial works or changes in management practice that are necessary for you to comply with Scheme requirements and give you general farm nutrient management advice. You must carry out all remedial works or implement alternative management practices before signing your NICMS agreement.
23. What happens during the land classification?
- All fields on the farm will be classified according to farmland habitat type. Any historic monuments present will be noted.
- Minimum Entry Environmental Benefit will be confirmed.
- Participation in suitable Habitat Enhancement Options will be agreed.
- Eligibility for field boundary restoration will be agreed
- Enhancement Measures will be agreed.
- All fields on the farm will be classified according to farmland habitat type. Any historic monuments present will be noted.
- Minimum Entry Environmental Benefit will be confirmed.
- Participation in suitable Habitat Enhancement Options will be agreed.
- Eligibility for field boundary restoration will be agreed
- Enhancement Measures will be agreed.
24. When does my agreement start?
DARD will write to you to tell you when your Scheme will commence. this date is called your "Start Date". You should not do any Scheme work until after your Start Date.
DARD will write to you to tell you when your Scheme will commence. this date is called your "Start Date". You should not do any Scheme work until after your Start Date.
25. How long does an agreement last?
A scheme agreement normally lasts for seven years, commencing from the "Start Date".
A scheme agreement normally lasts for seven years, commencing from the "Start Date".