Participants in the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) who cannot complete measures due to a shortage of fencing posts can receive extra time to complete work, DAERA has confirmed.

Fencing posts used under EFS must have a 15-year manufacturer’s guarantee. However, supplies of posts are tight in some parts of NI, particularly in the west.

A statement released by DAERA this week acknowledged that some farmers will have difficulty meeting the 1 June deadline for EFS options that involve fencing.

To get extra time, farmers should retain evidence of their attempts to source posts.

“This could include a dated order placed with a post supplier/contractor, or a dated receipt for a paid deposit,” said a DAERA spokesperson.

The other option for farmers is to reduce their claim to reflect the amount of fencing completed.

This can be done by submitting an EFS SAF 3 form, but only if there has been no notification of an upcoming inspection.

“If a claim is inspected and the amount claimed differs by more than 10% from the amount determined by the inspector, penalties will be applied unless there is acceptable evidence of attempts to obtain posts,” the spokesperson said.