Lyons introduces payment scheme for protein crops
Agriculture Minister Gordon Lyons MLA has announced the introduction of a pilot payment scheme for protein crops.
Following a consultation, ‘The Northern Ireland Protein Crops Payment Pilot Scheme’ will be introduced for the 2021 and 2022 Scheme years.
Announcing his decision, Mr Lyons said: “I have listened to the views expressed by stakeholders during the recent consultation and I’m pleased to announce that I have instructed my officials to introduce a pilot payment scheme for protein crops for both the 2021 and 2022 Scheme years.
“The Scheme will focus on growing combinable
beans, peas and sweet lupins. Those crops will create a domestically produced source of protein for animal feed and provide agronomic benefits within arable rotations.“I would encourage everyone to consider the opportunities and benefits this scheme provides, not only to boost farm incomes but also the associated agronomic and environmental benefits.”
The payment rate for the scheme is £330/ha and the total area eligible for payment under the Pilot Scheme will be capped at 1,000 hectares (ha). If more than 1,000 ha are determined as eligible, a linear scaleback will be applied to the determined Protein Crop Payment area to reduce it to 1,000 ha. Payment will be made on the scaled back area.
The minimum area claimed must be at least 0.3ha and applicants may only claim on land planted in protein crops. Areas of protein crops sown in a mixture with cereals or other crops will not be eligible for the scheme and protein crops declared under the scheme must not be harvested until after 31 July 2021.
The scheme will be reviewed for subsequent years.
Consultation launched on the future of Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme
Economy Minister Diane Dodds today announced that the Executive has agreed to the launch of a consultation on options for the future of the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme, including its potential closure.
Speaking as the consultation opened, the Economy Minister Diane Dodds said:
“The Executive’s preferred option would see the Non-Domestic RHI Scheme closed, in line with New Decade, New Approach, with compensation paid to participants. I have always been clear that any decision on the future of the RHI scheme must be fair to both the taxpayer and to the scheme’s legitimate participants who invested in good faith. The preferred option seeks to meet these objectives. In due course, new support for renewable heat would be brought forward.”
Following budgetary concerns the Non-Domestic RHI Scheme was suspended to new applicants on 29 February 2016. It currently remains operational for accredited installations, with tariffs supporting generation of renewable heat for a period of 20 years and final payments expected in 2036.
The consultation seeks views on four options. Under the Executive’s preferred option the scheme would be closed with compensation paid to legitimate current participants. The level of compensation would depend on the type and size of each individual installation and the period of time remaining on the scheme. It would also take account of any monies due to be recouped by the Department. The total cost of this option is estimated to be £68.4m. By way of example, a 99kW biomass installation – the most common on the scheme – would be eligible for payment of up £35,500.
The Department has also published the Consultation Report on the 2020 Tariff Review. The outworking of this has been considered in the development of the options for the future of the scheme.
The Minister went on to say:
“The final decision on the future of the scheme rests with the Executive, so I have held full and detailed discussions with my Executive colleagues to agree the preferred option. I would like to thank my Ministerial colleagues for their engagement.
“I would encourage everyone with an interest in the future of this scheme to have their say by taking part in the consultation process.”
The consultation process closes at 5pm on April 9, 2021.
Some local Avian Influenza restrictions lifted in Northern Ireland
Agriculture Minister Gordon Lyons has announced that the local Surveillance Zones around both premises where Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N8 was confirmed in Northern Ireland have been lifted, and movement restrictions removed.
The Minister has confirmed that the Surveillance Zone around the affected premises in Clough was lifted yesterday, 10 February, whilst the Surveillance Zone around the affected Lisburn premises will be lifted today, 11 February.
However, the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) introduced across Northern Ireland on 1 December, will remain in place; which includes the mandatory housing order, introduced on 23 December.
Confirming the decision, Minister Lyons said, “When Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 was confirmed in Clough and Lisburn in January, control zones were put in place around each premises as a disease control measure to limit the spread of disease. The movement of poultry and captive birds, carcasses, eggs, used poultry litter and manure were all restricted and required licences to be moved into or out of the zones.
“My officials have worked closely with colleagues from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and industry stakeholders to manage these outbreaks. Following the successful completion of all disease control activities and surveillance around both premises, the decision has been taken to lift the local movement restrictions. However, I want to stress that the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) measures remain in place across the whole of Northern Ireland.”
The Minister continued, “The measures in the AIPZ are still considered necessary in order to protect the Northern Ireland poultry flock from further incursions. It is imperative that we don’t get complacent with the lifting of the Surveillance Zones. The risk of avian influenza incursion into poultry flocks in NI is still at the highest it has ever been and I am urging all bird keepers to critically review biosecurity measures, remain vigilant, and report any signs of disease to the Department immediately. The recent confirmation of two further cases of HPAI H5N8 in poultry and captive birds in Wales and England further reinforces that we are not out of the woods yet as far as avian influenza in concerned.”
The most recent cases of HPAI H5N8 have been confirmed near Redcar in the North East of England and on the Isle of Anglesey, Wales.
Arts and creative organisations to benefit from £10m of funding
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has said that £10million of funding being offered today to a wide range of arts and creative organisations, will help stabilise the sector which has been disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
She made the comments as letters of offers totalling more than £10m were issued to 168 organisations who had applied to the Stability and Renewable Programme for Organisations, which is being delivered by the Arts Council on the Department for Communities’ behalf.
The Minister said: “I know that the arts and creative sectors have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and that this financial support is vital to stabilise organisations and prevent many from closing permanently.
“This funding will eliminate deficits which organisations have accumulated from 1 April 2020 because of reductions in income, coupled with unavoidable ongoing costs.
“The arts and creative industries have an important role to play in helping us all emerge from this pandemic, and this support is designed to stabilise organisations until they can reopen and resume delivering their important benefits to our community.”
The aim of the fund, which is now closed, is to stabilise the arts and creative industries sectors and secure a future which is representative of their spread, diversity and reach prior to the pandemic. Organisations will use the funding to put their finances back on a stable footing.
Roísín McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland said: “Today’s announcement of £10million of funding will be of benefit to 168 arts and cultural organisations across NI. The Arts Council thanks the Minister for Communities for making this emergency fund available. It is very much needed to help stabilise the wider arts, cultural and entertainment sectors in these difficult times and to plan for eventual recovery.”
This funding is part of the Department for Communities’ Covid-19 Culture, Languages, Arts and Heritage Support Programme.
Awards to self-employed individuals, which will be distributed by Arts Council on behalf of the Department, will be announced later this month.
Mallon announces four month extension of MOT temporary exemption certificates
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has announced that existing MOT temporary exemption certificates (TECs) for some vehicle groups will be extended by a further four months.
Existing TECs applied to eligible private cars, light goods vehicles and motorcycles aged 4-9 years will be extended by a further four months from the date the existing exemption ends. Four year old cars and motorcycles and three year old light goods vehicles due a first time test will have a four month TEC applied from the date their first MOT is due. New TECs or extensions to existing TECs will be applied automatically to enable vehicles to be taxed and kept on the road.
Minister Mallon said:
“Since vehicle testing was suspended due to Covid-19, eligible vehicles have been issued with TECs to ensure that they may continue to be driven legally on the road. In May 2020 I announced that eligible vehicles would automatically be issued with a 12 month TEC. This ensured that vehicles whose existing MOT certificate expired from 26 March 2020 or will expire before they can book a test would be automatically exempt from testing for a full 12 months. For vehicles which have previously been issued a TEC, their TEC was automatically extended to the maximum timeframes set out in legislation, up to a maximum period of 12 months from their last MOT expiry date.”
The Minister continued:
“All test centres are operational and the DVA has worked hard to increase its vehicle testing capacity, focussing on testing priority category vehicles including those vehicles that are not able to avail of a TEC and those with TECs due to expire to keep people on the road.
“Given the current situation with Covid-19, in order to keep the DVA staff and customers safe, necessary and proportionate control measures around MOT testing have been introduced. Due to these safety measures, the DVA is operating at reduced vehicle testing capacity.
“In light of these constraints I want to ensure that all customers can legally keep their vehicles on the road for their essential journeys. For that reason, from 26 March 2021, I have instructed my officials to apply a further four month extension to existing TECs for eligible private cars, light goods vehicles and motorcycles aged 4-9 years and to apply a new four month TEC to those vehicles due a first time test.
“Road safety remains a significant priority. I would like to remind owners and drivers of all vehicles that they are responsible under the law for the roadworthiness of their vehicle at all times.”
TECs will continue to be applied to all eligible vehicles until vehicle testing services return to normal testing capacity. Testing for older vehicles including all private cars, light goods vehicles and motorcycles that are aged 10 to 39 years old will be brought forward to ensure these vehicles can be tested before their existing TECs expire. Further TEC extensions will not be applied to these vehicle categories to ensure that any road safety concerns in these older vehicles are tested and rectified through the MOT testing process.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd added:
“While we understand the continuing need to extend the period of Temporary Exemption Certificates in these unique circumstances, it remains critically important that all drivers take responsibility for the maintenance and condition of their vehicles in the absence of an official testing regime.
“Do not miss regular servicing intervals and regular checks should include ensuring windscreen wipers are in good condition and the washer reservoir topped up with a good windscreen wash solution. Tyres must be in good condition and tread depth must meet the minimum legal requirement of 1.6mm and all lights must be clean, working and correctly adjusted.
“If police officers detect any vehicles being used in a dangerous condition, they can consider issuing rectification notices, fixed penalties, prosecution or in the most serious cases, prohibit further movement and seize any offending vehicle.”
Alastair Ross, Head of Public Policy for Northern Ireland at the Association of British Insurers said:
“Insurers recognise that this is a worrying time for everyone and will take a pragmatic view. They will not penalise customers for something that is entirely out of their control and where motorists with an MOT exemption certificate applied in Northern Ireland request a quote, they will not be prejudiced by their lack of a valid MOT certificate. This applies regardless of whether they wish to renew with their existing insurance provider or are looking to take out a policy with a different insurer.
“Insurers do, however, expect that motorists comply with their legal obligation to keep their vehicle in a roadworthy condition if they are driving it. Those affected by the ongoing MOT testing suspension should continue to service their vehicle and carry out basic checks such as looking out for brake wear, ensuring that all lights are working and regularly checking their tyre pressure and tread depth. Motorists should also not delay making an MOT appointment when they receive a reminder from the DVA to book a vehicle test.”
As before, extensions to TECs will be added to the DVA system, not issued in hard copy. For all vehicles with TECs applied, the DVA will issue a reminder notice to the registered keeper of the vehicle before the TEC period ends, with instructions on how to book a test.
Further information on TECs is available here: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-and-motoring
Minister welcomes £500 Covid Disruption Payment for CAFRE students
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the news that over 300 students studying at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) are each to receive a £500 Covid Disruption Payment.
Economy Minister Diane Dodds made the announcement last week that every student from the UK or EU currently enrolled on a full-time higher education course in Northern Ireland will receive the one-off discretionary payment, in recognition of the disruption they have suffered as a result of the pandemic.
Welcoming the payment, Minister Lyons said, “I am very aware that all students have experienced significant disruption since the onset of COVID-19 and I welcome this payment, which will help with some of the challenges they have experienced since the start of the pandemic.”
The Minister continued, “CAFRE has worked hard to ensure the safety of all its staff and students since the outset of COVID-19, introducing a range of interventions, including moving a significant proportion of its learning online. This has been a stressful time for many of our students and this payment will go some way to recognising the disruption and uncertainty that many have faced over the past year.”
The Minister concluded, “CAFRE has a well-deserved reputation as the leading provider of professional and technical agri-food sector qualifications in Northern Ireland and is celebrated throughout the wider agri-food industry for turning out highly-skilled graduates who are job ready. It is therefore vitally important that we continue to support our students in their education and training and recognise their future contribution to Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector.
Economy Minister Diane Dodds said: “I was pleased announce last week that almost 40,000 students in higher education in Northern Ireland would receive the £500 Covid Disruption Payment. I also announced more support for students to address digital poverty, financial hardship and for mental health provision. These additional resources will help higher education institutions, including CAFRE, target financial support at those students who are most in need.
“I have listened to the many concerns raised with me by students, their representative bodies, family members, educators and institutions and will continue to do all I can to help them regain the learning experience they deserve.”
The Covid Disruption Payments will be issued to students by the end of March.
Mallon announces £500,000 flood alleviation scheme in Antrim to commence
Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon has announced that a £500,000 flood alleviation scheme on the Hollywell Burn in the Kilbegs Road area of Antrim is due to commence on 22 February 2021.
The scheme will include the construction of approximately 410 metres of new in-situ concrete flood retaining wall and earth embankment works.
Minister Mallon said:
“Once completed this significant investment should reduce the risk of flooding to approximately 18 commercial properties in Kilbegs Business Park.
“Flooding can cause devastation and destruction and this is an area which has a history of flooding. I hope that the commencement of this work will bring some reassurance to the properties that will directly benefit from this scheme.”
The works will be programmed to minimise any inconvenience to the public, however, road users should take care in the vicinity of the works and be aware of emerging construction traffic.
The work is expected to take six months to complete. All work will be carried out in line with current health and safety regulations, with safe systems of working in place for staff and contractors.
Mallon announces appointment of the Chair to the Board of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (NITHC)
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon, has announced the appointment of Dr Michael Wardlow as Chair of the Board of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (Translink).
Minister Mallon said:
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Wardlow as the new Chair of Translink. Michael will be taking up his role at a critical time for our public transport network, a time when we must do all we can in the short term to ensure safe public transport for those who rely on it for essential journeys while also mapping out how we plan and deliver a world-class public transport network which fulfils the requirements for a greener and more sustainable future.
"The challenges facing the company are very clear but so too are the opportunities and I am committed to working with Michael and his Board to ensure that Translink plays a full role in our Covid recovery; in improving connectivity across this island; and in addressing the climate emergency.”
Minister Mallon continued:
“I would like also to take this opportunity to put on record my thanks to Dr Mark Sweeney who stepped in to fill the position of Chair on an interim basis while the public appointment process took place and to the other NITHC Board members whose leadership, dedication and commitment to public transport have been so apparent, particularly over this past year.”
Dr Wardlow’s appointment will take effect from 1 March 2021 and will be for a maximum of four years.
This appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland’s Code of Practice.
Mallon announces the development of new Park and Ride at Tillysburn
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has announced the next stage in the development of a new Park and Ride facility at Tillysburn in East Belfast.
The new facility will provide approximately 500 parking spaces and will be constructed on a site at the intersection of the Sydenham Bypass and the Holywood Road.
As the next stage in the development of the scheme, the Department will now begin the Pre-Application Discussions with Belfast City Council as a pre-cursor to applying for planning permission.
The Minister said:
“There is a growing demand for Park and Ride facilities across Northern Ireland. This new Park and Ride at Tillysburn will, when it is built, provide around 500 spaces. It’s location on the A2 Belfast to Bangor transport corridor, a key arterial route into Belfast, will encourage commuters to choose public transport or cycling for part of their journey. This development will also integrate with a new cycle route linking Victoria Park and the Coastal path known as the Sydenham Greenway. This scheme will also pass along a section of the Holywood Road, linking with the new Park and Ride site and under the Tillysburn junction, via the underpass. My officials have been engaging with Council representatives to determine a preferred route for the Sydenham Greenway scheme. I hope that the first part of the new cycle route will be delivered during the next financial year.
"I am committed to providing more choice for the travelling public as well as dealing with traffic congestion and tackling the climate emergency.
"The development of this Park and Ride facility along with the others that are progressing at Cairnshill, Downpatrick, Trooperslane, Comber and Newtownards is a positive move and is part of my Green recovery action plan. Working in partnership to change the way we travel will deliver benefits for everyone and will protect our environment.”
Innovation is vital for economic recovery: Dodds
Innovation is crucial for Northern Ireland’s economic recovery and to our future success locally and globally.
That was the key message from Economy Minister Diane Dodds after she began a series of meeting with senior leaders from partner companies in the Belfast City Region Deal.
The Minister’s first meeting focussed on the progress of two separate innovations centres under development in Northern Ireland. She met with Humain Ltd and Halon Entertainment which are involved in the £64m Screen and Media Innovation Lab (SMIL) which will see state-of-the-art virtual production facilities at the new Belfast Harbour Commission studio facilities at Giants Park.
And she also met Denroy Plastics Ltd and Artemis Technologies Ltd which are co-operating in the £98m Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) project which will see the construction of a new world class Factory of the Future at Newtownabbey.
The Minister said:
“Strengthening the link between economic growth and innovation in key sectors of our economy will support our recovery. It was useful to meet with these forward-thinking companies, which work closely with Queens University and Ulster University, to hear about the progress they are making in the development of these innovation centres.
“Through the Belfast Region City Deal, these exciting projects will benefit from investment of over £250m and will focus on life and health sciences, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and creative industries. These centres will build on Northern Ireland’s industrial strengths and excellent research capabilities and will support many more local companies to compete successfully in global markets, creating new and better-paid jobs and opportunities for future generations.
“Projects such as these drive progress and support economic growth. Northern Ireland’s reputation for innovation is one of which we can be very proud. We need to capitalise on this - and on our highly-skilled workforce - to support recovery and to create jobs and wealth.”
The Belfast City Region Deal will deliver up to £1 billion investment by the Northern Ireland Executive, UK Government, universities, local authorities and the private sector over the next 15 years.
Northern Ireland Greenhouse Gas Projection statistics released
Northern Ireland greenhouse gas projection statistics based on 2018 greenhouse gas inventory statistics have been published today by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
This statistical report is updated annually and details the Northern Ireland greenhouse gas (GHG) projections. It projects emissions of GHGs in NI from 2019 to 2030 and considers the reduction in emissions from 1990 to 2030. The greenhouse gas inventory as well as projections data for energy, agriculture, population and land use change are used to estimate emissions from 2019 to 2030.
The key points are:
- The latest Northern Ireland Greenhouse Gas Inventory estimated 2018 emissions to be 19 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e). This was a 20% decrease on the 24 MtCO2e emitted in 1990.
- Projections are produced annually and provide an estimate of emissions of greenhouse gases in Northern Ireland from 2019 to 2030. The latest projection is that greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland will reduce by 39% between 1990 and 2030 to 15 MtCO2e.
Download the statistical report
Lyons launches £2m Covid-19 financial support for hatching egg sector
Agriculture Minister Gordon Lyons MLA, has announced a financial support package worth up to £2m for poultry farmers producing hatching eggs who were impacted last year by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Minister outlined the £2m poultry support scheme, explaining that: “Minister Poots met with representatives of poultry farmers producing parent stock and hatching eggs for Moy Park Ltd, and recognised the financial impact that falling demand for hatching eggs, particularly in international markets and interdependencies within the supply chain, had on the local industry. To offset the losses incurred by these farmers during the time it has taken for markets to recover, I am pleased to announce up to £2m of financial support from the Covid-19 fund.”
The Minister went on to say: “This support will address the financial impact of depleting laying flocks earlier than normal, and cash flow consequences of longer intercrop periods for both rearing and laying farms.”
When the scheme opens later this month, eligible farmers will be contacted and asked to complete a simple application form to claim their payments. Further details and explanatory information will be published on the DAERA website at that time.
Over 11,300 farmers and growers have already received almost £19m to offset the losses incurred as a result of the pandemic’s impact on the local agri-food sector in 2020.
Road resurfacing scheme for Main Street, Crumlin
A £226,000 carriageway and pavement resurfacing scheme on Main Street, Crumlin will commence on Monday 15 February 2021.
The resurfacing works, which extend for a distance of approximately 710 metres, will greatly improve the strength and surface quality of the road and the upgrading of approximately 417 metres of existing footway will also enhance provision for pedestrians.
To facilitate the works, it will be necessary to operate lane closures with traffic control in place starting at 7.00 am on Monday 15 February 2021 and running daily until 6.00 pm on Friday 2 April 2021.
Local access for residents and emergency services will be maintained at all times. The Department has carefully planned these road works and associated traffic management arrangements in order to minimise inconvenience to the public. During the works some delays should be expected. Road users are advised to allow extra time for their journey and to follow the alternative routes which will be clearly signed on the approaches to the closure.
Completion of the work by 2 April 2021 is dependent on favourable weather conditions. The Department will keep the public informed of any change. All work will be carried out in line with current public health and health and safety advice, with safe systems of working in place for staff and contractors.
For more information about this and other improvement schemes visit: www.TrafficwatchNI.com
Mallon: Investing in Infrastructure key to delivering societal change
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has met key business organisations to discuss the Programme for Government (PfG) draft Outcomes Framework and the draft 2021/22 Budget.
Speaking following the meeting Minister Mallon said:
“Around the virtual table we shared the view that modern, sustainable, infrastructure is a key building block of prosperity, not only in our recovery from Covid-19, but it is also essential if we are to grow our economy, address regional imbalance, improve wellbeing and support a thriving island where people want to live, work, visit and invest.
"The consultations on the Programme for Government draft Outcomes Framework and on the draft 2021/22 Budget are a critical opportunity for the Executive to identify the kind of society we all want to live in and improve the lives of people in Northern Ireland by allocating resources to high priority areas in order to improve outcomes for citizens.”
The Minister emphasised the importance of genuine partnership working to deliver a meaningful Programme for Government. She said:
“Government can’t work in isolation to solve the wide ranging and long-term issues that we face as a society. We need to work with citizens, organisations and representatives and use their knowledge and expertise to develop a Programme for Government that benefits everyone.”
Commenting on the draft budget the Minister said:
“While I welcome the significant increase in the draft capital allocation, the draft resource budget outcome proposed to be allocated to my Department is extremely challenging and if further funding is not secured we will face a really difficult year ahead. It will be difficult to deliver a capital programme of this scale without an increase to the resource budget. These are the choices that need to be made now and after years of underinvestment in our infrastructure, if we are going to do things right and see the critical investment our society needs, we need to get the right building blocks in place and that means getting our infrastructure right. I am making the case for an enhanced resource budget to ensure that the delivery of vital public services, on which our citizens depend, is not impeded and I will work across government and wider society to ensure the importance of this crucial funding is understood.
“It is clear from our meeting that within the business community, it is understood that to build more houses, to provide employment , to make our towns and cities more attractive and inclusive places to be, investment in infrastructure is critical. We have an opportunity to deliver a budget and a programme for government that is focused on seizing our chance for change not simply standing still.”
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