Growing momentum for nature-friendly farming

Agriculture remains one of the most significant opportunities, and challenges, for nature in Northern Ireland. With over 75% of our land farmed, agricultural policy plays a vital role in wildlife recovery, water quality, climate resilience, and sustainable food produciton. Throughout 2026, RSPB NI has been working with farmers, supporters, politicians and the public to make the case for greater investment in nature-friendly farming. 

In February, polling commissioned by RSPB NI revealed strong public support for action, with 68% of people backing increased investment to help farmers produce food sustainably while addressing the nature and climate crisis.  In May, we were a key partner in the Regenerative Farming Zone at the Balmoral Show, showcasing our work with farming communities across Northern Ireland, and building further support for increased investment in nature-friendly farming. 

May also saw the launch of our public campaign calling on MLAs to support a significant increase in funding for nature-friendly farming through long-term, well-funded agri-environment schemes and provision of tailored advice, enabling farmers to produce food sustainably while restoring habitats and reversing wildlife declines. 

By the time the campaign closed in early September, more than 600 people had contacted their MLAs, calling for increased investment in nature-friendly farming. Through the campaign, we helped amplify the voices of more than 30 farmers from across Northern Ireland, who sent personalised letters to their local MLAs, ensuring elected representatives heard directly from those already delivering for nature, climate and sustainable food production on the ground. 

With growing public and farmer support behind the campaign, RSPB NI joined farmers and members of our Youth Network at Stormont in June as the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) launched Phase 2 of the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme. While welcoming the continued roll-out of the scheme, we highlighted that much more support will be needed to meet the scale of the challenge, including a greater share of the budget allocated to agri-environment schemes. Northern Ireland continues to have the lowest proportion of land in agri-environment schemes across the UK and Ireland, making increased investment essential. 

Our work continues this month through our sponsorship of the Fields Good Festival and the Nature Friendly Farmer Award at the Farming Life Awards. Both events provide valuable opportunities to engage with farmers, landowners and rural communities, while celebrating the farmers already demonstrating that productive farming and thriving wildlife can go hand-in-hand. Through our advisory work, we see first-hand the commitment many farmers have to restoring farmland habitats and reversing the declines of farmland species. 

Looking ahead, RSPB NI will continue making the case for greater investment in nature-friendly farming, working with MLAs, government officials and other decision-makers to   ensure farmers have the support they need to restore nature alongside sustainable food production. We will continue engaging with key stakeholders , sharing evidence from farmers and demonstrating how agri-environment schemes can deliver for wildlife, water quality, climate resilience and sustainable food production.  

Thinking ahead to the Assembly Election in Spring 2027, we will reflect our nature-friendly farming calls in a suite of priorities we are launching at Stormont later in the year. Talking to all political parties, we will call for a greater share of the agriculture budget to be invested in nature-friendly farming and agri-environment schemes that provide the long-term support needed for farmers to deliver nature recovery at scale.