Grant or payment · Northern Ireland
Farm Sustainability Payment (FSP) 2026
The main annual area payment in Northern Ireland, paid on payment entitlements. It replaced the Farm Sustainability Transition Payment (which had replaced the Basic Payment Scheme) from 1 January 2026.
- From
- DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)
- How much
- Depends on the number and value of payment entitlements held. The 2026 unit value of entitlements was not published in the 2026 guide because it depended on the 2026-27 Budget. Progressive capping above £60,000: in 2026 the band £60,000.01 to £80,000 is cut by 10%, £80,000.01 to £100,000 by 20%, £100,000.01 to £150,000 by 30%, £150,000.01 to £190,000 by 40%, and 100% at £190,000 or more.
- Who can apply
- Farm businesses actively farming in Northern Ireland that activate at least 3 payment entitlements on at least 3 ha of eligible land at their disposal on 15 May, with agricultural activity on at least 3 ha (2 ha for claims under 5 ha). Businesses operating before 31 December 2021 must also have met the Historic Years requirements for 2020 or 2021.
- Opens
- 2 March 2026
- Closes
- 9 June 2026
What you’ll need
- DAERA Category 1 Farm Business ID
- Government Gateway or NI Direct (NIDA) login for DAERA Online Services
- At least 3 payment entitlements
- Single Application submitted online
- Meet the seven Farm Sustainability Standards (FSS1 to FSS7)
How to apply
- Closed for 2026: the Single Application closed on 15 May 2026, with late applications (with penalties) accepted from 16 May to 9 June 2026
- Payments started on 1 September 2026; check DAERA Messaging for the payment notification
- Keep bank details up to date with DAERA to avoid payment delays
Amount per entitlement not confirmed: the Guide to FSP 2026 says the unit value depends on the 2026-27 Budget, which had not been agreed when the guide was published. The information sheet says the maximum payment in 2027 and beyond stays at £116,000. Conditionalities: SNHS registration and CAFRE training by 15 May 2027 (10% penalty in 2027, then 15%), and for cattle keepers the Bovine Genetics Project by 15 May 2028 (10%, then 15%).
Similar schemes
- Farming with Nature Higher Scheme 2027 OpenDAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) · Closes 30 October 2026Interim invite-only scheme to keep favourable management of high-value farmland in designated sites and priority habitats between agri-environment schemes.
- Suckler Cow Scheme OpenDAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) · Closes 31 March 2027Payment for suckler calvings that meet targets for age at first calving and calving interval. Part of the Beef Sustainability Package.
- Beef Carbon Reduction (BCR) Scheme Open all yearDAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)Annual payment for clean beef cattle, born and bred in Northern Ireland and registered on NIFAIS, slaughtered at or below a falling maximum age. Part of the Beef Sustainability Package.
- CAFRE Themed Groups (B.E.E.F. finishing and suckler cow fertility) Open all yearCAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise), part of DAERAShort-term CAFRE groups with mentoring, peer learning and KPIs, linked to the Beef Carbon Reduction and Suckler Cow schemes.
- Farm Sustainability Payment (FSP) 2027 Coming soonDAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) · Closes 15 May 2027The second year of the Farm Sustainability Payment, claimed on the 2027 Single Application.
- Farming with Nature Landscape Projects Scheme Coming soonDAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) · Closes 4 December 2026Funding for groups of farmers and partners to deliver landscape-scale habitat and biodiversity projects that cannot be done on a single farm.
Checked against the official pages on 29 October 2026. Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Always read the official page before you apply.