Northern Ireland's agriculture minister has announced she is planning to open the new Environmental Farming Scheme in early 2017.
"The multi-million pound Environmental Farming Scheme is an important part of our agricultural agenda and we are working hard to be able to open it for applications in February next year," Miss McIlveen said.
But the Agriculture Minister has said it is not covered by the Chancellor's promise to fully fund European Union schemes signed off before his Autumn Statement.
"Whilst funding for the EFS is not covered by the recent statement by Chancellor Philip Hammond, we are very much focused on securing the funding and implementing a well-focused scheme," Minister McIlveen explained.
The Minister also listened to the concerns the environmental groups had about future funding for the sector, the impact of Brexit and the difficult financial situation many are facing.
"We all need to continue to look closely at what we do, and how we do it, to ensure we deliver efficiencies in the way we work, enhance partnership working and seek alternative sources of funding," Miss McIlveen concluded.
