The application process for the new area-based farm sustainability payment will open on 2 March 2026 and by this stage, all new land eligibility rules will be reflected on 2026 maps, a DAERA spokesperson has confirmed.
The land eligibility rules are changing this year, with all land eligible for payments outside of hard features such as lanes or buildings as well as some discrete areas of woodland and land used for solar panels.
On inquiry, the DAERA spokesperson confirmed that the process of updating maps is now complete, with new Maximum Eligible Areas (MEAs) included with the maps and any ineligible features shown in the same way as previously using purple hatching.
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“The new MEAs will also be recorded on the pre-populated single application form,” said the spokesperson.
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The application process for the new area-based farm sustainability payment will open on 2 March 2026 and by this stage, all new land eligibility rules will be reflected on 2026 maps, a DAERA spokesperson has confirmed.
The land eligibility rules are changing this year, with all land eligible for payments outside of hard features such as lanes or buildings as well as some discrete areas of woodland and land used for solar panels.
On inquiry, the DAERA spokesperson confirmed that the process of updating maps is now complete, with new Maximum Eligible Areas (MEAs) included with the maps and any ineligible features shown in the same way as previously using purple hatching.
“The new MEAs will also be recorded on the pre-populated single application form,” said the spokesperson.
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