Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is a Northern Ireland government department responsible for agriculture, environmental protection, food policy, rural development, and climate action. DAERA plays a central role in shaping policies that support sustainable farming, biodiversity protection, water quality, and emissions reduction, while safeguarding rural livelihoods and food security. The department is a key actor in Northern Ireland’s response to climate change, overseeing the delivery of emissions reduction measures in agriculture and land use, as well as adaptation strategies to improve resilience to climate impacts such as flooding, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss.