Andrew Muir
North Down · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. As Minister, I am grateful to the Chair of the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee and to Members from all sides of the Chamber for their consideration of the Bill and their contributions to the debate, which have been valuable and useful.”
“I will write to you with regard to your query. <BR /> <BR />The other issue, as I said, is reporting pollution incidents so that they can be effectively investigated. There is a duty on everyone to do that promptly.”
“Aquaculture provides real economic opportunities, and the Bill will help ensure that those opportunities are realised responsibly without compromising the environment. Importantly, the Bill includes transitional provisions so that existing licences can continue seamlessly as aquaculture licences, with their conditions unchanged.”
“That is not about being punitive for its own sake; it is about ensuring that the legal framework reflects the true value of our natural resources and the importance of protecting them for future generations.”
“<BR /> <BR />On strengthening the regulation of inland waters, the Bill modernises long-standing powers under the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966, ensuring that they are fit for today's environmental and industry challenges. That matters because fisheries management today goes far beyond simply catching fish.”
“<BR /> <BR />A full regulatory impact assessment of the financial impact has been completed. It concluded that the Bill does not introduce significant new financial burdens and that any costs are outweighed by the long-term benefits.”
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“I am happy to engage with the Infrastructure Minister about the matter. I am acutely aware of the impact that pollution has had on generations of communities in that area because my family came from the New Lodge. I am happy to engage with the Infrastructure Minister and will come back to you on that.”
“Thank you, Carál. That is an important question, because air pollution disproportionately impacts on deprived communities in Northern Ireland, and it is important that we take action. We are working on a clean air strategy for Northern Ireland. Officials are pulling that together, and it will hopefully go out to consultation soon and people will respond. <BR /> <BR />We need to look at how we travel in Northern Ireland and at the decarbonisation of our fleet. We also need to look at how we provide a just transition to help people move away from burning fuels at home, such as coal, because of the impact that it can have on the air quality. In Northern Ireland, there are many actions that we need to take to improve air quality, and I am very conscious of its impact, particularly on deprived communities.”
“I am glad to have got Executive agreement to progress that, and the Bill is being drafted, after consultation was undertaken last year. It will raise the maximum penalty. It is important that we do that to act as a deterrent, but it also gives us the ability to issue fixed penalty notices in relation to water pollution events. That allows us to have a more agile response to that, and, hopefully, it will be a sufficient deterrent in relation to pollution occurring in our waterways so that we can chart a course for better water quality in Northern Ireland. Legislation is an important thing that we do, and I am glad that the Bill is being drafted. I look forward to cooperating with the House during the Bill's passage.”
“Thank you, Danny. That is a really important issue, and that is why I am glad that the Justice Minister has announced, and will work with my Department on, a sentencing review in those two areas. It is important that we do that. Alongside that, there are other actions that we are taking as a Department, whether in relation to an animal welfare pathway or the fisheries and water environment Bill. It is important that we take action on this, and I am glad to see the Justice Minister moving ahead with that. We will cooperate closely on it.”
“I agree with you on that. Let us see whether we can get officials from my Department to meet you and other relevant individuals so that we can ensure that actions are taken to preserve the terns for future generations.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am aware of the specifics of that, because the constituent who raised it with him has also raised it with me. It is a great part of Groomsport village that we want to value. I am happy to meet the Member — not on site, because we would have to go across the water — alongside officials so that we can talk through those concerns. I am very conscious of the impact of vermin, but there are no quick solutions to some of these things.”
“We need to improve planning performance so that people can get decisions on their applications swiftly. The NIEA is just one of a number of statutory consultees. There is also a wider issue with our planning system in Northern Ireland, and we want to make sure that we are turning decisions around much quicker. I recognise my role in that, and we are focused on delivering the improvements that are needed.”
“Thank you for your question. As I outlined earlier, there is a planning performance plan that we are seeking to progress. It is important that we do that, because we need to turn around those responses quicker. There is also an obligation on those submitting those applications to ensure that they submit all the information at the beginning so that we are not going back looking for further clarification. In addition, we need resources for this, and that is where the draft Budget is a challenge for me and my Department, because it requires individuals to consider these. However, I recognise these issues, and that is why we are focused on improving performance.”
“Unfortunately, there has been some delay in submission of the Dungiven regeneration project outline business case to the Department by the council. The draft of the OBC, which was initially expected in June 2025, was submitted to my Department on 16 December last year. My officials are reviewing the OBC, and, subject to compliance with the Better Business Cases Northern Ireland Five Case model, the Department expects to have approvals in place in advance of deal signing, which is currently planned for June 2026.”
“My Department has been working with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council on three growth deal projects that will result in investment of £15·3 million in rural areas across the borough. The Dungiven regeneration project is a £6·7 million project that encompasses an upgrade of the public realm, a streetscape improvement scheme and the transformation of an unused building on Main Street, Dungiven, into an enterprise hub.”
“Thank you, Peter. Participants in social farming experience benefit as a result of reduced stress, anxiety and depression alongside increased physical activity. The carers and participating social farmers feel more connected to their community and develop new friendships and social networks. Participants also acquire new skills, gain confidence in their abilities and feel a greater sense of purpose. The practice of social farming also contributes to sustainable farming methods, biodiversity and landscape preservation. It also fosters a sense of community, promotes social cohesion and builds stronger community relationships. Those delivering social farming also receive an income from referrals, which aids the sustaining of farm diversification projects.”
“That income will help to support the sustainability of small rural farms. <BR /> <BR />I am a strong advocate of social farming, as it is a practice that benefits those delivering the service and, very importantly, the participants, who are some of the most vulnerable in our society.”
“As a result of the social farming capital grant scheme, recipients will be able to provide enhanced facilities for participants to take part in meaningful farm work. Improvements to social farms because of the social farming capital grant scheme 2025-26 include the renovation of existing farm buildings, improving access at farms, the installation of energy-efficient measures and the purchase of equipment to aid and enhance the social farming experience for participants. <BR /> <BR />It is important for farms delivering social farming to achieve their social farming standards. Therefore, the grant aid allows them to undertake improvements that will both enhance their farm enterprise and help them to achieve their social farming standards. Farms that deliver social farming will also receive reimbursement from referral partners.”
“Quite a lot of work has been done, and more will be done. Fundamentally, it is about raising people's awareness of the importance of biosecurity. We will engage through that Shared Island initiative, because we recognise that the issue does not respect borders. We want to continue to raise awareness of it. I understand the Member's concern about the reports of quagga mussels with regard to her constituency.”
“A focused cross-border Check, Clean, Dry signage campaign, funded through the Shared Island biosecurity and invasive species initiative, is being developed to raise awareness of the ease of spread of all aquatic invasive species through poor biosecurity.”
“The highly invasive quagga mussel was confirmed as present in Lower Lough Erne, which was the first Northern Ireland occurrence, on 10 December 2025. Due to the similarity with zebra mussels, DNA sequencing was used to verify identity. Departmental officials are scoping an environment DNA (eDNA) surveillance programme of larger waterbodies in Northern Ireland to monitor for the presence of quagga mussels. <BR /> <BR />As with most aquatic invasive species, there is no effective control or eradication method for quagga mussels once they are present in a waterbody. Departmental efforts focus on encouraging better aquatic biosecurity by water users through the long-running Check, Clean, Dry campaign, which highlights the need to clean boat hulls and equipment in contact with water.”
“As I outlined earlier, I was glad that we agreed a blueprint for the way forward on the issue on the basis of three pillars: people, cattle and wildlife. It is important that we take action on the matter. I will consult on wildlife interventions this spring, and I encourage people to respond to that consultation and give feedback. We need to take learnings from the previous intervention that was announced, which was successfully judicially reviewed.”
“I thank the Member for his question. We are the only part of the UK that does not have mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses, so I was glad to get agreement from the Executive last week to progress such legislation. We will engage with the Committee on the issue so that we can legislate for it and bring it in as a requirement in the short time ahead.”
“This will include an exploration of a ban on aversive training devices; proposals for an increase in dog licence fees; regulation of rescue and rehoming, dog microchipping enhancements; and a call for evidence on the potential introduction of mandatory cat microchipping.”
“In addition, the expert review of dog-breeding regulations is due in early April, with a further report from the group, on canine fertility clinics, due in June. I will review all recommendations provided to me before deciding on next steps. I am committed to making progress in that area, where feasible, during this shortened mandate. <BR /> <BR />On communications, I am pleased that a responsible dog ownership and animal welfare social media campaign was launched last August and is being delivered in conjunction with councils. <BR /> <BR />Finally, my officials are continuing to work on a consultation, to be launched before the summer, on the remaining proposed reforms outlined in the pathway.”
“Animal welfare remains one of my key priorities, and I am pleased that work is continuing at pace to take forward the reforms contained in my animal welfare pathway. In terms of progress to date, legislation on mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses has been drafted, and steps are being taken to secure the necessary approvals. <BR /> <BR />The consultation response document on Lucy's law and my agreement on next steps for the sale and supply of puppies and kittens will be published shortly. Following that, I will be asking officials to progress the laying and making of the legislation. I am determined that that policy and its implementation will have a positive impact on the lives of pups and kittens in Northern Ireland.”
“Increasing woodland cover is one of my Department's priorities. The current forestry strategy, 'Northern Ireland Forestry: A Strategy for Sustainability and Growth', sets out the long-term objective to increase woodland cover, which is currently 8·6% of Northern Ireland's land area, to 12% by 2050. That aim aligns with the recommendations of the Climate Change Committee (CCC) on the level of forestation needed to contribute to the 2050 net zero targets. In October 2025, I announced the commissioning of the Northern Ireland tree planting action plan, to be developed in co-design with stakeholders. The plan will highlight the key actions needed to deliver the strategy of 12% forest cover by 2050. I expect to see a draft plan in spring of this year.”
“I will write to the Member setting out the figures for which I bid. I will say, however, that the draft Budget, which is out for consultation, makes for grim reading for my Department. If the funding materialises, it is likely that we will not be replacing posts when they become vacant and that no additional staff will be recruited beyond those in place currently. That paints a difficult picture, considering the work that needs to be done on our environment and to support agriculture in Northern Ireland. In addition, a fundamental issue with Lough Neagh is the need to invest in the waste water infrastructure. It is critical that we turn the situation around, but the draft Budget does not meet the requirements for investing in the waste water infrastructure.”
“I agree with the Member that restoring Lough Neagh requires taking an ambitious approach and difficult decisions. It is important that we do so for the sake of people who rely on the lough and the communities around it, as well as because 40% of our drinking water comes from it. Afforestation is an important issue for us in Northern Ireland. We have obligations to increase it, but there are also opportunities. That is why we have launched the tree planting action plan.”
“Together, those measures form an important part of my Department's broader approach to improving water quality, enhancing biodiversity and supporting more sustainable land management practices across the Lough Neagh catchment. <BR /> <BR />I want to increase tree planting across Northern Ireland and within the Lough Neagh catchment. That will require collaborative working between the Government, landowners and environmental organisations. That is why I have commissioned the co-design of the Northern Ireland tree planting action plan, which will outline the actions required to increase tree planting, including in the Lough Neagh catchment.”
“Trees and woodland play an important role in reducing the pollution entering our waterways, which is particularly relevant due to the scale of the Lough Neagh water catchment areas. Over the past three years, approximately 242,000 trees have been planted in the Lough Neagh catchment under forestry grant schemes. DAERA also provides financial assistance to landowners through the Farming with Nature transition scheme, which has replaced the environmental farming scheme. Those schemes support farmers and land managers to deliver environmental improvements, including measures that reduce nitrate run-off. Funding through the schemes enables the planting of trees for hedges, small woodlands and riparian buffer strips. Over the past three years, around 2,500 trees have been planted in the Lough Neagh catchment through the schemes.”
“Investment in nature is critical if we are to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. In 2025, I committed £3·2 million to support nature recovery projects through the environment fund. The nature recovery challenge fund offers grants to support environmental projects to deliver in the key areas of nature recovery networks, species recovery networks and 30 by 30 projects. Nine projects are being funded that will help deliver environmental improvement. They include oak woodland restoration in Fermanagh; developing nature recovery networks in Belfast; and habitat improvements in Portmore lough. The fund will award £1·4 million in grants in this financial year, totalling over £3·2 million by 2027-28.”
“<BR /> <BR />At a local level, there is a statutory requirement under the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 for my Department to develop and regularly review a biodiversity strategy to further the conservation of biodiversity in Northern Ireland. At a global level, Northern Ireland, alongside the rest of the United Kingdom, has committed to 23 targets and four goals in the global biodiversity framework agreed at the Conference of the Parties in December 2022. Therefore, my draft nature recovery strategy proposes new actions for Northern Ireland that add to the existing framework of targets in relevant policies and strategies that are already in place. The aim is to provide bigger, better managed and more connected nature to help biodiversity recover and regenerate for generations to come.”
“Members will be aware that I made an oral statement to the House and launched the draft nature recovery strategy for public consultation on 20 January. The consultation will remain open for eight weeks, following which the strategy will be finalised for publication. It is extremely important that citizens from all parts of society and of all ages engage in the consultation. Nature provides us with our most basic needs, such as food, water and shelter. It helps regulate our climate and provides us with spaces in which to enjoy recreation. Unfortunately, nature is in decline not just here but across the world, which is why delivery of the strategy is one of my corporate pledges.”
“There was significant debate about that issue at the Committee and in the Assembly. After leaving the EU, we had to set up our own farm support scheme. Change is difficult, and it requires decisions to be made. There are also actions under way on that through the historical years exercise. It is important that we proceed with the changes. There is overall environmental benefit for Northern Ireland from the changes to land eligibility. I note that the changes have been warmly welcomed by organisations such as Ulster Wildlife, and I was glad to see that.”
“The roll-out of Farming with Nature is critical to supporting farmers, as the custodians of the countryside. I am conscious that agri-environment support reduced post the EU exit, and I am seeking to restore that. Last year, we launched the Farming with Nature transition scheme. A number of actions were available then, and there will be a further roll-out this year. I want to see the pace quicken, because it is important that we support farmers, and Farming with Nature is a key support scheme from the Department under the sustainable agriculture programme.”
“Importantly, the simplifications will reduce the risk of environmental damage and the impact on biodiversity or water quality through activities undertaken to maintain eligibility, such as burning heather, the removal of scrub by mechanical means or controlling rush by spraying. <BR /> <BR />Full details of that are in the 'Guide to Land Eligibility', which is available on the Department’s website.”
“The land eligibility rules for the farm sustainability payment, which came into effect on 1 January 2026, have been simplified, to the benefit of farm businesses. That has made them easier to understand and reduced the associated bureaucracy and potential for error. The new rules make previously ineligible features, such as rush, scrub, bracken, heather and bogs, eligible. That is to the benefit of the environment. Specifically, it will help to address soil and water quality issues and challenges to biodiversity, as well as to mitigate climate change. Farmers no longer need to be concerned about receiving over-declaration penalties for areas of rush or scrub on their land that they have inadvertently failed to remove from the claim.”
“I am aware that those concerns have been expressed. As I outlined, Shared Environmental Services is a collaborative function, shared between the councils. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency wrote to Shared Environmental Services recently to set out its opinion on how it should deal with the transboundary issue. That is a very technical matter, but, following Question Time, I will write to the Member to set out what we have done to engage with Shared Environmental Services in recognition of the concerns about the delays that have been experienced.”
“The measure that the Member referred to was initiated in order to maximise the time that case officers have to spend on responding to planning consultations as opposed to on providing those updates. <BR /> <BR />I am aware that stopping the provision of detailed updates has caused frustration to planning authorities and planning officials, who would like to be able to speak to an individual case officer about queries that they may have. It should be noted that officials are available to offer advice about technical queries, and anyone who wishes to make such a request can contact the DAERA planning response team, which will seek the most appropriate casework officer from DAERA's internal planning teams to respond. There is also a new inbox for planners with specific operational questions for the natural environment division.”
“Since November 2021, the Department has not been provided detailed responses to requests seeking updates on time frames for issuing consultation responses. Provision of detailed updates to the high volume of requests received from applicants, their agents, political representatives and planning officials significantly reduced the time that officials had for processing consultation casework responses. <BR /> <BR />I will provide some context. The Member should be aware that my Department has received approximately 355 planning consultation update requests in the past three months alone. In combination, it would take a significant time for case officers to respond to those requests in detail, and the provision of such a service would cause additional delays to consultation response times.”
“It may be different from water pollution in being harder to identify, but it is a serious issue of concern, and we need to find a way through it.”
“Thank you for your question. I am happy to meet on the matter, but we have to be careful about conflating the issues of planning and ammonia pollution. We have extremely high levels of ammonia pollution in Northern Ireland. I am trying to find a way forward to reduce that pollution, which we must do because it is having a real impact on our environment, but also to deal with practical issues such as replacement sheds, which are coming in as a result of animal welfare commitments. <BR /> <BR />This is difficult. Anyone who wants more information on the ammonia issue should read the report from the Office for Environmental Protection. It found that the Department previously acted unlawfully on it. That is a challenge for us. Air pollution is an issue of concern for me.”
“The actions under the plan are categorised in five work strands: technical advice and guidance; caseload management; monitoring and reporting on performance; processes and IT systems; and communication and stakeholder engagement. <BR /> <BR />I get that we need to do better on this, and that is what we are focused on.”
“I am aware of the frustrations about the time that it takes the Department, as a statutory consultee, to reply to some planning consultations. Consequently, my officials have developed and are implementing the Northern Ireland Environment Agency planning improvement plan. <BR /> <BR />That strategic plan aims to increase DAERA's performance rate for responding to statutory consultations through reducing delays and streamlining workflow processes; improving the quality and consistency of planning decisions; enhancing communication with stakeholders and applicants; increasing staff capability and resource efficiency; improving customer satisfaction and trust; and ensuring compliance with regulations and best practice.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I understand the frustration about planning applications and statutory consultees, and, in Northern Ireland, we need to do better. <BR /> <BR />Shared Environmental Services was set up by the councils and is ultimately within their purview: that is where the accountability is. Overall, the Minister with responsibility for local government is the Communities Minister, but I urge the Member to raise any concerns about it with the relevant councils.”
“From 1 April 2025 to 31 December 2025, 2,956 statutory consultations were received, with responses being issued for 2,528. Of those responses, 1,916 were issued on target. An additional 725 non-statutory consultations were received in the same period, with responses being issued for 686. <BR /> <BR />I am fully aware that our response times for applications need to improve, but I am also aware that there are challenging factors such as the complexity of some cases, staff and resource pressures and the variable quality of the applications presented for consideration. To improve our response times and service to planners, a planning improvement plan has been developed and is being implemented at pace.”
“As a statutory consultee in the planning system, my Department has a duty to respond to a statutory consultation within 21 calendar days or an otherwise agreed timescale. Statutory planning consultations are formal applications submitted to a local authority for permission to carry out development, as required by the Planning Act 2011. They include a full application for development, an outline application for development and environmental impact assessments. The Department also receives planning consultations that are non-statutory but considered relevant to the planning system due to policy or other interests. Those include pre-application discussions. <BR /> <BR />The current year's performance on statutory consultations is 65%.”
“Secondly, farmers can protect their livestock inside the farm by quarantining newly purchased animals to ensure that they are not carrying the disease with them; providing good standards of husbandry, hygiene and nutrition, thereby minimising stress on animals; promptly isolating and treating any sick animals and seeking veterinary attention as required; and improving immunity through vaccination protocols under veterinary direction.”
“Thank you, Stewart. Biosecurity is the first line of defence to protect livestock and business. Good biosecurity reduces the risk of the introduction and spread of disease. It is about taking all the efforts to reduce the risk of contact between disease-causing organisms and agents and susceptible animals, both from outside and inside the farm. <BR /> <BR />First, farmers can take measures such as minimising purchases and, where purchases are necessary, doing so from low-risk disease sources; good farm-boundary management; cleansing and disinfection of vehicles, equipment and people before entry on to their farm; and application of measures to control vermin and minimise contact with wildlife.”
“I am glad that the stakeholder group was able to agree a blueprint. That was published last year, and we are progressing its implementation. Biosecurity is a key element in our collective efforts with the farming community to drive down incidences of TB. Alongside that, we will commence a consultation on wildlife interventions this spring.”
“It is an important issue, as the Member rightly says. The island of Ireland is one single epidemiological area, and we must cooperate on these issues, as we do. We are consulting on the specific issue that the Member outlined. Northern Ireland and the South operate on the same basis, being members of a single market. That means that the e-ID technology that we will use is going to be the same in the North and the South, and I encourage people to respond to the consultation on e-ID.”
“<BR /> <BR />DAERA has comprehensive biosecurity guidance available online, alongside a statutory biosecurity code for Northern Ireland farms, which sets out best practice for livestock keepers, vehicle operators and those involved in food production. DAERA continues to deploy wide-ranging communications, reminding all flock keepers of the necessity of adhering to high levels of biosecurity, particularly at times of heightened disease risk. It always remains the case that robust biosecurity is important and is the most effective defence against specific epizootic diseases when they do occur, helping to protect individual flocks, herds and the wider agri-food industry.”
“My Department regards biosecurity as a cornerstone of animal health and disease prevention. Our approach is proactive and risk-based, recognising the interconnection between animal, human and environmental health. The agriculture sector operates in an environment where infectious diseases such as bovine tuberculosis, avian influenza and bluetongue pose significant risks to animal health, farm productivity and market access. Biosecurity is critical in preventing disease transmission and mitigating the impact of disease outbreaks, which can lead to severe financial loss, herd disruption and long-term impacts on rural livelihoods.”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank Members for their contribution and hope that they support the legislative consent motion. I particularly thank the officials who have done all the work in drafting the LCMs and briefing the Committee on them. It is really appreciated.”