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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“<BR /> <BR />The biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction agreement closes that gap by introducing rules on marine genetic resources, environmental impact assessments and area-based management tools. The UK signed that agreement in 2023 and is now taking steps to ratify and implement it through the Bill. The provisions of the Bill extend to all parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland, and some of the provisions engage devolved matters. The Bill provides enabling powers to implement international commitments under the biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction agreement. On 20 November 2025, the Executive agreed that consent should be sought for the clauses in the Bill that deal with devolved matters. <BR /> <BR />I will briefly summarise the clauses. Clauses 2 to 9 deal with marine genetic resources.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to move this legislative consent motion (LCM) on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill. It is an important piece of legislation that will enable the United Kingdom to implement the UN biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction agreement, which is a landmark treaty under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The agreement represents a global commitment to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction — the high seas — which cover nearly half of the planet's surface. Those areas are critical for climate regulation, fisheries and biodiversity, yet they have historically lacked a comprehensive governance framework.”
“I thank the Members who contributed to the debate. I welcome Gareth Wilson to the Chamber and look forward to working with him on the AERA Committee. To summarise, the Waste (Fees and Charges) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 will bring into operation the waste management charging scheme for 2025-26. That is required in order for the NIEA to charge for its regulatory activities in relation to waste management. The scheme includes an annual uplift to the fees and charges, which allows the NIEA to operate under full cost recovery, as is required by the principles of 'Managing Public Money Northern Ireland'. I commend the statutory rule to the House.”
“It is fundamental to human safety and to underpin a successful economy. The uplift is required for the NIEA to deliver an effective regulatory system, protect the environment and promote sustainable growth in Northern Ireland. Accordingly, I commend the statutory rule to the House.”
“Normally, the statutory rule (SR) required to bring the waste management charging scheme into operation each year is laid by negative resolution. However, the regulations are made under schedule 4 to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, which stipulates that those regulations will be subject to the draft affirmative resolution procedure unless they are only altering a fee or charge to reflect changes in the value of money. Therefore, because fees and charges are being uplifted by using a figure that is not a standard inflationary measure, the draft Waste (Fees and Charges) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 are required to be laid by draft affirmative resolution. <BR /> <BR />The work of the NIEA is very important to the protection of our environment.”
“Had the NIEA used the 2025-26 GDP deflator figure of 2·39%, as issued by Treasury, the agency would have lost an estimated £750,000 in fees and charges across all charging schemes, which would have been paid from the public purse.”
“They are normally uplifted by the GDP deflator figure that is issued by His Majesty's Treasury in December each year. However, the charging policy allows for the Department to apply any other mechanism that it deems appropriate to ensure full cost recovery and prevent deficits being paid from the public purse. After analysis by NIEA officials, it was determined that the fees and charges for 2025-26 should be uplifted by 6·19%. That covers the employers' pay costs, and the uplift applies to schemes in the NIEA charging policy 2024-25.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am grateful for the opportunity to bring the motion to the House. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) operates an annual charging policy for its regulatory activities. The charging policy covers eight separate charging schemes, of which the waste management charging scheme is one. The waste management charging scheme requires legislation to be laid to make it operational. The NIEA charging policy is governed by the principles of 'Managing Public Money Northern Ireland' and operates under a full cost recovery model. That means that the NIEA charges operators the full costs of regulatory activities: they are not subsidised by the taxpayer. <BR /> <BR />The fees and charges covered by the charging policy are uplifted annually.”
“Their work is a lifeline for many in the constituency, which I am proud to represent, and I am glad that we have been able to air this important topic in the Assembly.”
“I look forward to hearing from the Communities Minister about his departmental efforts to finalise the strategy and how he will address concerns raised by relevant stakeholders in the consultation. I also hope that he will be able to update us on the anticipated fuel poverty strategy, because, as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation highlights, the downward trend of poverty here has stalled in recent years and our child poverty rates remain high. Clearly, the lack of an anti-poverty strategy and the collapse of the Assembly have had consequences. <BR /> <BR />Regrettably, our time to discuss such a complicated and layered topic is short, but I will close by again thanking Connie for securing the debate and all the organisations in North Down for the sterling work that they do.”
“We must also see an anti-poverty strategy not only in place but delivering meaningful change in North Down and beyond.”
“Given the drastic rise in the number of private renters, the rate at which rent is rising should be a concern to us all, particularly in North Down, where rent prices are already much higher. I am sure that we can all see the huge strain that the housing crisis places on our constituents, particularly as the cost of living and inflation continue to bite. It is vital that we deliver new social homes to address the issues hampering development, not least in relation to our waste water infrastructure.”
“I commend those MPs who forced concessions from the UK Government on welfare and the winter fuel payment and championed the removal of the two-child limit, including my Alliance Party colleague Sorcha Eastwood MP. We know that families with three or more children experience higher rates of poverty, and the removal of that punitive cap will make a huge difference to the 50,000 families who are set to benefit in every constituency in Northern Ireland, especially in North Down. <BR /> <BR />Although it is important to acknowledge that it is a wider UK problem, we should not shirk our responsibilities locally, especially because, before housing costs, our poverty levels in Northern Ireland are similar to the UK as a whole.”
“Just last week, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation reported that 330,000 people and 110,000 children are living in poverty here, and, despite misconceptions, the majority of those live in working households. That means that hundreds of thousands of people have a lower life expectancy and greater mental health challenges, and those children will suffer worse educational and wider life outcomes. <BR /> <BR />The failure to meaningfully tackle poverty over the past 20 years and beyond is a dreadful legacy, particularly with the austerity policies of subsequent Conservative Governments. I have been incredibly disappointed that the Labour Party has sought to continue some of that legacy by targeting those in our society who are most vulnerable to poverty, particularly older people and people with a disability.”
“I speak today as an Alliance Party MLA for North Down, and I thank my constituency colleague Connie Egan MLA for securing this timely and important debate in the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />Contrary to the perceptions of some, there are many people in North Down who are suffering from poverty. They are wondering how they will feed their families and whether they can afford to put the heat on, in the same way as is experienced in many other constituencies across Northern Ireland. North Down still has around one fifth of children living in poverty, and, within the wider borough, over 3,000 people are on the housing waiting list and approximately 20% are experiencing fuel poverty.”
“Thank you, Andy. I would like to take part in the fund, but you have asked the key question of whether I have the budget envelope to do so. I do not want to write back to say yes and then not have the cash. I will get advice from officials, but there is a benefit to my Department working in conjunction with all Departments, including the Department for Communities. The Executive have to work together. They are our partners in government, and we are committed to doing that.”
“Thank you, Andy. I have received a letter from the Communities Minister asking whether I want to participate in it. I am waiting for advice from officials because we have to consider how we do it correctly. Once that advice comes back, I will write back to the Communities Minister. I see the benefits of the fund, but if I am to engage in it, I need to make sure that I do so correctly.”
“Thank you. The funding that we have received from the Shared Island Fund for the regionalised cross-border approach is absolutely key. The island of Ireland is a single epidemiological area. That is why we want to work together on this. I thank my ministerial counterpart in the South, Martin Heydon, and the Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for the way in which they are working with us on the issue. This is something that does not respect borders, and something on which we need to work together. People need to understand that we are taking forward this initiative, which is based on wildlife intervention, people and cattle measures. Engagement is taking place, and, hopefully, everyone can get behind these positive interventions on a key issue in the agriculture community in Northern Ireland and the South of Ireland.”
“Engagement with the agriculture sector is a core part of the blueprint. That is why we have the stakeholder partnership and want to work together on it. We are keen to work with people on the issue, particularly in relation to the cattle interventions. We want to be able to understand if there are any concerns and how we can help drive the TB incidence down. Alongside that, we are moving forward with the regionalised approach. I fully acknowledge the need for a wildlife intervention in Northern Ireland, and the importance of its ability to withstand legal challenge. That is why we will be consulting on it next year. Be assured that we are putting resources to the issue. It is a priority for my Department. Collectively, we can move forward on it, but we also have to respect the science, evidence and law.”
“These standards have been developed to meet the agricultural and environmental needs that are unique to Northern Ireland. Through them, we can take a more focused approach in helping to address current issues in water quality, for instance. The standards promote good farm management and responsible stewardship, which help to underpin the integrity of Northern Ireland's agri-food industry. Animal welfare is a concern to us all, and requirements for the welfare of birds have been added, along with requirements for the welfare of animal transportation regulations. New biosecurity requirements have also been introduced to reduce the risk and impact from animal diseases. The new penalty arrangements are more proportionate, fairer and easier to understand, and they reflect the severity of the impact of any breach of a standard.”
“Farm sustainability standards are a modern, proportionate and simpler regime covering environmental, public and animal health and welfare issues in Northern Ireland. The majority of farmers care deeply for their livestock and want to protect the environment for future generations. The new penalty regime, which was developed in close collaboration with agriculture stakeholders, recognises the importance of education and understanding. Our goal is to help farmers meet those standards. I am fully committed to supporting farmers to remain compliant, avoid penalties and receive their full payments. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a thriving, resilient and sustainable agri-food sector that supports family farms and benefits our communities, climate and economy.”
“There has been engagement with the Executive Office regarding those, but it is important that we can progress those papers at the next Executive meeting. I am doing the work, and I need others to be able to support me and allow us to progress it. It is extremely frustrating that there is gridlock at the Executive due to one party — the DUP.”
“As Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, I am committed to power-sharing and to working with my Executive colleagues. However, I am finding the gridlock that we have in getting papers agreed by the Executive increasingly frustrating. The extent of that gridlock means that we now have to maintain a spreadsheet of the papers that we are looking to get agreement on. I am awaiting Executive agreement on six papers. I have been waiting for almost a year for agreement on one of the papers — the green growth strategy. We are also waiting for agreement on papers relating to an independent environmental protection agency, ways that we can improve our levels of recycling, a fisheries Bill and a water environment Bill, and we are awaiting agreement on a technical paper on sheep carcass classification.”
“Providing a fair and just way forward should be a key principle in all our policies.”
“Thank you, John. A just transition commission arises from the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022. It was the result of an amendment that the House agreed without Division. It is a very important commitment, because just transition runs throughout the climate change legislation. It is about ensuring a fair and balanced way forward and safeguarding everyone as we move towards decarbonisation. It is a legal obligation, and I am determined to deliver upon it. We consulted on the regulations, and I have sought Executive agreement on them. I have been seeking Executive agreement since September, and, hopefully, we can get agreement on the regulations so that we can set up a just transition commission to provide delivery on what is a key principle of the climate change legislation.”
“As I outlined, we have agreed a blueprint and are focused on delivering that under its three pillars. We have made a bid for transformation funding from the Executive Office, we have Shared Island funding and we are pushing ahead with a regionalised approach. We are putting resources into the situation. I reassure people that I am committed to tackling it not because of the cost to my Department, which is an important consideration, but because of the cost to the farming community and the mental distress that it is causing. I am committed to doing that in a robust manner while respecting the science and evidence.”
“Those are major challenges not only for my Department but for the farming community in Northern Ireland. We have the financial resources to deal with them in our current situation, but we cannot predict the future. That is the nature of animal disease. It is important that I reassure you that we have put resources into that and that we are compensating farmers under our statutory obligations. I am conscious that this is a very difficult time for the farming community, particularly those who are in the dairy sector because of the effect on milk prices. My Department is focused on delivering its vision of a thriving and resilient agri-food sector with an economically and environmentally sustainable future. We are determined to do that.”
“Part of that involves the farm sustainability standards that the Committee agreed, and I thank the Committee for its engagement with officials on those. The farm sustainability standards are a balanced, proportionate and robust way forward that replace cross-compliance. Hopefully, people will get acquainted with the details of the standards, which are on the departmental website.”
“I am very proud to be the only Minister in the UK to secure over £300 million in ring-fenced funding for agriculture, agrienvironment, fisheries and rural development. That is not the case in England, Scotland and Wales. We are determined to utilise that funding to support farm families in Northern Ireland. That is part of the sustainable agriculture programme. There are a range of measures in that programme, be they about advice or the investments that can be made on-farm. The sustainable farm investment scheme is a capital support scheme that will launch next year. It will offer a range of options to support farmers to take up the technology that they wish to use. It is important that we support farmers, which is what my Department is doing, and I thank officials for that.”
“We take a risk-based approach to that. There have been no movements from GB to NI for a significant period because England and Wales, unfortunately, have been affected by bluetongue. We will continue to take a risk-based approach. Essentially, Northern Ireland is in lockdown when it comes to bluetongue, and it is important that people observe the rules that are in place.”
“Officials have started work on that; I would need to check whether they are on-farm today but I know that they want to have that testing completed this week. It is important that we do that for additional surveillance. Alongside the testing, midge traps have been set so that we can test those. There is also additional surveillance in abattoirs. We are doing all that we can on surveillance. We are looking to get out and get testing on those 20 large farms. We are engaging with the farmer whose herd has been affected and testing the entire herd. I believe that, collectively, we can move out of the restrictions. However, it is important that people understand them: there is to be no movement unless that is directly to slaughter, in which case a form to enable that should be downloaded from the departmental website.”
“As the Member rightly outlines, it is about resource rather than capital, which adds extreme complexity and challenge to the issue, particularly in relation to the potential cost. The process for agreeing that, getting Executive approval and then undertaking the work will take a number of years, and we will have to factor that into our Budget bids. How the situation came about in the first place has caused me great concern. That is why I believe, as the Member does, in an independent environmental protection agency and why I am seeking Executive agreement for such an agency. I am deeply disappointed that the DUP has decided to block it.”
“If the necessary updates do not significantly alter the draft strategy — we have to keep an open mind on the consultation — it is envisaged that the revised strategy will be presented to me in February or March next year. An updated cost estimate for delivery of the strategy will follow in March or April.”
“Thank you, Mark. The public consultation on the draft remediation strategy closed on 2 October. In total, 26 responses were received. Those responses and the views of the consultees will be carefully considered in order to inform any necessary amendments to the draft remediation strategy. There will then be further significant decisions to be made. Any necessary updates to the strategy will be determined further to the assessment of the consultation responses. <BR /> <BR />Our integrated consultancy team is progressing the technical review of the responses. Officials plan to present the report on the consultation to me by the end of January next year.”
“My Department is conscious of its responsibilities for raising awareness of the matter, which we do every year in the run-up to Halloween. It is also aware of the responsibilities of the Department of Justice. I reached out to the Minister of Justice today in anticipation of such a question. The Minister is conscious of the impact that fireworks can have on wildlife. Her reminders always encourage the public to follow the law, keep fireworks safe and be considerate. Information on fireworks is available year round on the NI Direct website to remind people of the impact that fireworks can have on older or vulnerable people as well as on pets and farm animals. The information also highlights the availability of low-noise fireworks.”
“With fireworks being set off after dark, potential impacts are difficult to assess. My Department does not hold any data or evidence on their effect on wildlife. In common with domestic pets and farmed animals, possible impacts are likely to include fear, stress and disorientation, which may result in self-injury or abandonment of the young. Organisers of firework displays, whether public or domestic, should be aware of the possible risks to animals. Fireworks should not be set off near habitats where concentrations of wildlife are known to be present, such as woodlands and lakes, or known bird nesting sites during spring and summer.”
“A comprehensive agreement between the UK and the EU would be a welcome development. I know that it was not part of the announcement on the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agri-food agreement in May, but there are ongoing discussions now. If it becomes part of that agreement, that will be welcome. The closer the cooperation between the UK and the EU, the more benefit there will be for all our citizens across the UK.”
“As I outlined at the beginning of my response to the substantive questions, the matter does not sit under my direction and control. I have made the case to the UK Government on a number of occasions about the importance of communication and clarity to the sector. I will continue to make that case to the UK Government. It does not sit under my direction and control as a result of legislation that the DUP asked for.”
“I sit on the UK Government’s veterinary medicines working group jointly chaired by Baroness Hayman alongside veterinary experts, industry representatives and political stakeholders. That forum enables me to provide advice on measures to prevent disruption to supply. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the UK Government’s protecting animal health policy, published in June 2025, and its two new support schemes designed to address supply challenges, including unforeseen issues. In the months ahead, I will continue working with the UK Government and the working group on governance and oversight to ensure that those schemes deliver their intended outcomes.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will group questions 6 and 15. <BR /> <BR />Under the Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024, the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland is a matter under the direction and control of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Since taking office, I have engaged regularly with the UK Government on future supply arrangements from 1 January 2026. I have raised concerns directly with successive Secretaries of State, including Steve Reed and Emma Reynolds, and maintain frequent bilateral meetings with Baroness Hayman where veterinary medicine supply is regularly discussed, with one taking place as recently as last week.”
“Thank you, Patsy. I am keen to get it on to my desk, so that I can consider it and give you a definitive answer. I know that time is of the essence in providing that support, and it is important that we do so. The serious impact on fishermen as a result of the ecological issues in Lough Neagh is something that weighs heavily on me. Fishing on the lough is part of our culture, tradition and heritage as well as people's employment. I am keen to support, in the here and now, those who fish there and provide a pathway for future resilience.”
“The support will provide some financial easement to enable fishers to consider the current challenges and to allow time for the implementation of operational and fishery management adaptations for the next season. Such challenges will include the identification of new, alternative markets for brown eels. The provision of support should help to address the challenges, with the aim of maintaining that historic fishery at a sustainable and viable level that contributes to the rural economy and employment around the lough.”
“A business case for the scheme of financial assistance for commercial Lough Neagh fishermen due to the closure of the 2025 brown eel season has been completed. It is being quality-assured by my Department, before the proposal is submitted for my consideration later this week. <BR /> <BR />Blue-green algae is a symptom of broader ecosystem issues. Whilst research is conducted to understand what impact ecosystem issues may have on brown eel stocks, support is being considered on the basis that they may have had an impact on marketability due to concerns around the quality of fish and the presence of toxins, despite the provision of Food Standards Agency assurance. The provision of financial assistance will be based on the income forgone by fishers from their landings of brown eels during the 2024 season.”
“<BR /> <BR />Given the size of the issue in relation to the fiscal levers that we have in Northern Ireland, it is challenging for us. I am on record as saying that we should have more fiscal devolution in Northern Ireland so that we can have more autonomy around the matter, and I will support the Finance Minister in regard to that.”
“A worked example has been given. Representations have been made by the farming unions, by us and by many in Parliament, including the EFRA Committee, in relation to the suggestions from the Centre for the Analysis of Taxation (CenTax), which is a tax advisory body. It outlined practical suggestions on how we could realise the revenue that is desired so that we could tackle tax avoidance, which is what we want to be able to do, and protect farm families in Northern Ireland and across the UK. There are practical ways forward in that regard. My frustration has been the lack of proper engagement and, frankly, empathy, particularly from Treasury, on the matter. That is a concern for me. I have outlined what we as a Department are doing through Farming for the Generations, and it is important that we do that.”
“The Budget has had implications for the farming community because there was hope that the UK Government would rethink the inheritance tax. They have not done that. That is the major concern of the farming community in Northern Ireland. The Minister of Finance outlined more about that on Monday. The challenge ahead for the Executive is to agree a three-year resource budget and a four-year capital budget. I will play my part, and I am working extremely hard to ensure that I deliver a balanced budget this year. I am confident that I will do that, but it is important that other Ministers do the same.”
“I will continue to engage constructively with stakeholders to listen to what support they require and what my Department can do to assist them. <BR /> <BR />Last autumn, I launched the Farming for the Generations pilot scheme to help farm families to develop succession plans. It is being supported by farm family mentors and professionals such as solicitors and accountants. The pilot is ongoing and will conclude in the spring of next year.”
“My Department's sustainable agriculture programme contains the Farming for the Generations scheme. I thank everyone who has been taking that forward. It aims to raise awareness of the need for succession planning on farms and supports farm families through a three-phased approach: planning for succession, developing the successor and supporting the lead generation within the farm family. The scheme will also link farmers without a family successor to new entrants to provide access to land and other resources. <BR /> <BR />As Minister, I am committed to supporting our farming families to ensure that succession planning can be a straightforward process and smooth transition. That will not happen overnight.”
“As Minister, I am aware that, since we left the EU, the disparity between North and South has become more acute. That is a result of Brexit and because of decisions by the UK Government, particularly on inheritance tax. That continues to cause real anxiety in the farming community, particularly in the run-up to April of next year. That is wrong, and we have made collective representations from the Chamber on the issue, particularly in relation to the disproportionate and detrimental impact that it has on Northern Ireland. I will continue to make those representations. I am conscious of the impact that it has on farmers in Northern Ireland, and I will continue to urge the UK Government to listen and act. That has been very much absent in recent times.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Farming for the Generations pilot scheme aims to raise awareness of the need for succession planning on farms. The pilot includes support for farm businesses to develop a succession plan, a farm business review and a personal development plan for the nominated successor. It is planned that a full programme will be rolled out next year.”