AQW 7080/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (i) for an update on the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme; and (ii) what plans there are to extend the area covered by this scheme.
Asked by John Blair MLA on 21 February 2024
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 21 February 2024
- Answer due by
- 7 March 2024
- Answered
- 8 March 202416 days after tabling
- Priority question
- No
Answer
(i) Since its launch in 2022, there has been excellent uptake of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme. Over 90% of farm businesses in Zones 1 and 2 have registered for soil sampling and analysis. This includes over 340,000 fields in Counties Down, Armagh and Fermanagh, and the southern parts of Counties Antrim and Tyrone.
(ii) I plan to extend the Scheme by opening Zone 3 in June this year and Zone 4 in 2025, meaning that sampling and analysis across all counties will be completed in 2026.