D.A.R.D – Active Farmer Definition

The Department of Agriculture (DARD) is currently in the process of amending their definition of an “active farmer” to exclude those landowners who let their lands out on a conacre basis. Around 1/3 of farming land in NI is currently let on this basis.

Planning Policies CTY10, CTY11 and CTY 12 in Planning Policy Statement 21 – Sustainable Development in the Countryside (PPS 21) all require that the farm business is currently active and has been established for at least 6 years. 

Currently, landowners whose land is let out in conacre and who are in receipt of single farm payments have been considered by the Planning Service to meet the definition of an “active farmer”.

MKA Planning have requested  a formal response from the Minister to clarify if the DARD change in the definition of an ‘active farmer’ definition will have any impact or effect on the future implementation of PPS 21 policies CTY10, CTY 11 and CTY 12.

Will landowners whose land is let on a conacre basis and no longer receive a Single Farm Payment continue to qualify as an ‘active’ farmer for the purposes of PPS 21?

Please contact Matt or one of the MKA Team at 028 71311551 for further information or advice on how the new definition of ‘active farmer’ may affect you.

 

 

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