Northern Area Plan 2016
Strategic Countryside and Coast: Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing

Agriculture is the predominant land use within the Northern Plan Area. There are approximately 3,000 holdings in the Plan area, with over two thirds involved in cattle and sheep rearing, whilst dairy farming constitutes the next largest farm use. Farm size tends to be small with approximately 2,250 (80%) of holdings classified as ‘very small’ or ‘small ’ by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) under European standards. Although average farm incomes are greater within the Plan area than Northern Ireland as a whole, they, in common with the rest of the Region have been falling in real terms. Declining incomes, coupled with the availability of diversification grants, has lead to an increased demand for alternative employment on and off the farm.

Forestry operations are largely carried out by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Forestry Service. Approximately 15,000 hectares are publicly managed forests, of which approximately 650 hectares are broadleaf woodland. Forestry Service currently combines the commercial production of timber with public recreation at a number of locations throughout the Plan area, such as at Downhill and Ballykelly.

Community woodlands have been established by the Woodland Trust at two locations in the Plan area - Brookwood and Cornfield Wood - both within Coleraine Borough Council area.

Whilst the Plan area has a substantial coastline, commercial sea fishing employment is limited to Cushendall and Cushendun. Private charter firms, primarily for leisure sea fishing, operate out of the area’s harbours.

There is extensive aquaculture occurring in Lough Foyle with two designated shellfish waters located at Longfield Bank and Balls Point. Recreational fishing, mainly under licence, takes place along a variety of rivers and inland watercourses within the Plan area, for example the River Roe in Limavady is famous for its salmon and trout population.