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 believe in taking action on the matter. I understand and respect the importance of science and evidence, and it is important that Northern Ireland is not left behind when the opportunities for decarbonisation arise.”
“When I consider climate change, I look to experts, particularly Lord Stern, who produced seminal work back in 2006 and recently published a publication on the issue. In that, he recognises that climate action boosts living standards and prosperity, improves air quality and reduces poverty. He challenges the misconception that China and India are doing nothing and that the UK should not bother. We know that the reality is very different. In a recent article, Lord Stern stressed the need for political leadership and stated:”
“Whilst Northern Ireland is only a small contributor to wider global emissions, it is vital that we all play our part and do not miss out on the economic, environmental and biodiversity opportunities provided by addressing climate change. <BR /> <BR />For some countries and nations, particularly those in the Global South, tackling climate change is about their very existence. I will continue to take action on the matter and engage with my partners in the UK and Irish Governments. Climate change is the defining issue of our generation, and it is important that we take action on it.”
“Thank you, John. I commend the Prime Minister, the Taoiseach, the Prince of Wales and many others for their leadership on the issue. My Department will continue to engage with and support the UK Government on their engagement in COP30. The big focus of COP30 is climate action and rightly so, and it is about achieving the goal that was set out in the Paris agreement. Before the Paris agreement, the world was on track for warming of 4°C. Continued action on that has brought us down, but we are not on course to meet the target. Global clean energy investment is, however, set to reach $2·2 trillion in 2025, which is double that of fossil fuels.”
“Officials from my Department hosted a bathing water review meeting for councils on Monday 3 November. That meeting was designed to prepare non-bathing water operator councils for the upcoming review by sharing information on bathing waters and bathing water operator responsibilities. All councils are invited to the bathing water review stakeholder workshop this month being hosted by Innovation and Consultancy Services. That workshop will bring together a range of stakeholder voices to discuss key bathing water topics in order to inform a public consultation.”
“Water quality is a priority for me and my Department. I expanded the bathing water programme this year, including seven new sites, which brought the number of identified bathing waters to 33. I also launched the bathing water platform, which has been well received. The Department works in partnership with stakeholders to manage bathing waters and improve water quality at identified bathing water sites through the bathing water action plan. Beyond bathing waters, improvement to water quality is required through stronger regulation, the enforcement of sewage pollution measures, investment in waste water infrastructure and the implementation of the nutrients action programme.”
“The culling of flocks is difficult for the farmer and for the officials who have to undertake the task, and I commend everyone for the work that they do on that. The preferred method is gassing, and we will continue to seek to secure supplies of gas to effect that. The situation is extremely challenging for officials North and South, and I commend them for their work from a senior level to those who are on the ground assisting farmers, in response to it. We will continue with that work.”
“I commend the poultry industry for its partnership working with my Department. It is important that we work together so that we can address the challenge, which is of real concern to me.”
“Avian influenza is a challenge and is developing across the island of Ireland. It has also occurred in England and Wales. The Department has taken action in response to that: we have made biosecurity measures mandatory and introduced a housing order. We are working North and South on the issue. Of late, we have had three cases in Northern Ireland and four in the Republic of Ireland. In response, officials from my Department have been assisting my colleagues in the South, because it is important that we work together. <BR /> <BR />I would need to get more detail from you, Mr Gaston, about your concerns. I am happy to discuss those with you afterwards or you can engage with officials on them. It is important that we heed the need for biosecurity and the housing order measures. We are working closely with stakeholders on those matters.”
“I recognise that the island of Ireland is a single epidemiological area, and that is why it is important that we work together on issues of animal health. My officials are working with officials in the South on that regionalised approach, and, following engagement with stakeholders, I will make further announcements because it is important that we do that. It is important that we are able to do something collaboratively with our partners, as we do already on many other issues, such as avian influenza. I thank officials in my Department and in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for the work that they are doing together to address that issue. We face animal health challenges on the island of Ireland, and I commend the partnership work that has taken place. I wish to redouble that, and it is important that we do so.”
“I will continue to work on that, and we will consult on a wildlife intervention next spring. It is important that we act on the issue, and I am committed to doing so.”
“Thank you, Declan. The rates of TB in Northern Ireland are far too high, and we need to act to reduce them. I have kept in place the 100% compensation rate, which the Secretary of State wanted to remove when the institutions were down. I recognise, however, that the full cost to farm families is way beyond what we provide in compensation, and it is important that we take action on that. <BR /> <BR />I thank the stakeholders who came together and agreed a blueprint for eradication based on the pillars of people, cattle and wildlife. I have put additional funding in place for testing to help farmers to identify TB. Also, I have worked with my partners in the South and agreed with them a new cross-border initiative, funded through the Shared Island Fund, that takes a regionalised approach to tackling bovine TB.”
“The issues with Farming with Nature and the EFS are to do with the outworkings of Brexit. I am, however, determined to make progress on supporting the agrienvironment. It is planned that the existing EFS agreement holders will be eligible for future strands of the Farming with Nature package. The prioritisation of EFS agreements that are due to expire at the end of this year is being considered.”
“Thank you, Nick. The commencement of the Farming with Nature package was a key priority for me this year. I am encouraged by the good uptake of the first strand of the package, which is the Farming with Nature transition scheme. It has demonstrated that demand exists in the farming community to do more for nature. It is planned to build on the first strand of Farming with Nature through an expanded transition scheme with more actions available. It will open for applications in 2026. My officials are working at pace to develop future strands of the Farming with Nature package to open in 2026, such as focused support for designated areas and priority habitats and a strand that will allow collaboration among farmers on a landscape scale to deliver environmental outcomes.”
“My record of standing up for the environment is there to be seen. I believe in it and am prepared to take the difficult decisions. The opposition comes from the DUP, and that is why I believe in reform of the institutions. The majority in the Assembly have voted for an independent environmental protection agency. The institutions therefore need to be reformed so that we can take decisions and end the cycle of stop-go government that has really damaged the environment. We need to fix the situation in order to ensure that, if one party leaves, the show continues. There is no rhyme or reason to the objections to an environmental protection agency other than not caring about the environment.”
“I come here to account for my job as Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and I am happy to do that. Last night's debate on an independent environmental protection agency was constructive, and many Members were on the same page about the importance of setting up such an agency. I said earlier in Question Time and will say again that I am deeply disappointed by the position that the DUP, including some of my Executive colleagues, took last night when they voted against setting up an independent environmental protection agency. I believe in power-sharing and in working with people; it is what these institutions are based on. I will continue to do that and continue to push for an independent environmental protection agency, despite the illogical objections of others.”
“Yes. The wildfire stakeholder forum forms one part of the strategic framework. The forum includes representation from the farming sector, other key land managers, environmental NGOs, government and council agencies and the Met Office. An official from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine sits on the forum as an observer in order to ensure cross-border knowledge exchange and awareness. It is important that we bring people together to work collectively on the matter, as that is the way forward.”
“A series of communications will be issued to alert the public to the risk of wildfires prior to the next wildfire season.”
“Communications and education are key elements of the wildfire strategic framework. Communications and education will make the public and landowners more aware of the conditions that cause wildfires and the adverse impacts that they can have on human health, the environment, society and the economy. Education and awareness will help to ensure that those engaging with the countryside are better informed and will promote responsible use. A better informed public are more likely to be vigilant of wildfire risks and to assist in the prevention and reporting of fires. They will be more informed about the unacceptability of lighting such fires and may be more willing to provide information to the authorities about who is starting the fires. That will be highly beneficial to ensuring successful prosecution of rural arsonists.”
“I thank all the stakeholders who are working with us on that. The only way to deal with it is by working together.”
“The Northern Ireland wildfires strategic framework was agreed by the Executive on 4 September and published on 8 October. Publication of the strategic framework will enable the development of an associated wildfire action plan by March 2026. <BR /> <BR />Since publication, my officials have sought feedback from members of the strategic wildfire group and the wildfire stakeholder forum regarding actions that they are currently undertaking or planning that would assist with the implementation of the strategic framework. That will enable collation of actions already being undertaken and the development of new actions where gaps are identified. A series of strategic and stakeholder group meetings will take place over the coming months to help draft the wildfire action plan, which will form the basis for the implementation of the framework.”
“If there is a variance from the planning permission, that is primarily a matter for the district council that issued the planning permission. If there are concerns about a variance from a planning application, the Member should raise those with the district council. If there are specific allegations in relation to a specific site, the Member should raise those through the appropriate channels.”
“The NIEA’s determination will include an assessment of whether the installation will be able to comply with the best available techniques for the sector. All decisions are recorded in a decision document. Once the determination is complete, a draft permit will be prepared, and, on completion, a further consultation with the public will be carried out prior to issue.”
“<BR /> <BR />Once an application is considered "duly made", it is made available for public consultation via newspaper advertisements and placed on NIEA’s online public registers. All statutory consultees are notified, including the relevant district council where the installation will be operated, the Public Health Agency and other relevant consultees as appropriate to the application. Responses from the consultees or other third parties are considered in the determination of the application. <BR /> <BR />There is a requirement for all applicants to evaluate the environmental impact of their proposed processes. That will include an assessment of the impacts in respect of air emissions; odour; noise; emissions to water or groundwater; energy use; raw materials to be used; waste generated; and sensitive habitats.”
“On receipt of an application for a new or varied pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit, NIEA officials will initially confirm that the application can be considered "duly made" under the regulations, including that all the information set out in Part 1 of schedule 4 or schedule 7 to the PPC regulations has been provided and the application is accompanied by the appropriate fee. For applications for specified waste management activities, that stage will include checking whether planning permission is in place. An assessment will also be carried out to determine whether the operator can be considered a "fit and proper" person". Those checks are not required for non-waste PPC permits.”
“The discussion with the Infrastructure Minister will be at a strategic level and will be around the need to have stronger regulation and enforcement. The responsibilities around that sit with me. The investment responsibilities sit with the Minister for Infrastructure. I am concerned to see the lack of investment in the living with water programme in the Belfast area. That is contributing to the situation that is unfolding on Belfast lough, which is of great concern to me. It is affecting the day-to-day lives of people who want to engage in sports activities on the lough. The scale and development of the pollution is also of great concern, and it is important that we take action on it. I will do what I can, and I will seek to work with the Infrastructure Minister on it.”
“Modelling studies have indicated that urban and diffuse agricultural discharges account for, respectively, 53% and 47% of the pollution in Belfast lough. Improvements in water quality are being sought through Northern Ireland Water's investment in waste water treatment upgrades, sewer misconnections work and improvements in storm water overflows. Agricultural inputs of nutrients will be managed through our approach in the nutrients action programme. It will require full implementation of all those measures to deliver water quality improvements in Belfast lough.”
“Surveying and reporting on that is important, because people entering bathing waters need have confidence in and know the quality of the water.”
“The actions that fall to me are in regulation and enforcement. I have been on the record as saying and will repeat today that I want to strengthen regulation and enforcement on sewage pollution in Northern Ireland. There is a separate regime for Northern Ireland Water; I do not think that that is sustainable, and I will bring a paper on that issue to the Executive soon. I will continue to engage with my Executive colleagues, and I will soon have a meeting with the Infrastructure Minister on the actions that we need to take on waste water infrastructure. It is important that we do that. We also need to support our farmers in a just transition as part of the way forward on improving water quality. I am committed to doing that. We will also do further reviews of bathing water.”
“<BR /> <BR />Nutrient inputs to Belfast lough come from urban sources, namely waste water discharges and combined sewer overflows, and from agricultural sources, such as fertiliser and agricultural run-off. Water quality monitoring has also shown an increase in the number of chemical substances, such as pesticides and herbicides, as well as legacy chemicals, in the water. That apparent increase is due in part to improved monitoring and laboratory analytical techniques resulting in the detection of more chemical substances. Furthermore, new substances are being added to the list of chemical pollutants for monitoring and reporting. The environmental quality standards for many of those chemicals are extremely stringent, and failures across Northern Ireland, the UK and Europe are, sadly, common.”
“For the purpose of monitoring and reporting, Belfast lough is divided into three discrete water bodies: Belfast harbour, Belfast lough inner and Belfast lough outer. The water bodies in Belfast lough are failing to meet environmental standards for nutrients and/or the presence of chemical substances. Nutrient monitoring data shows a gradient of very high levels in the inner part of Belfast lough, which is Belfast harbour, that decrease towards the outer lough. Nutrient levels in Belfast lough outer currently meet the standard for high status. However, evidence suggests that nutrient levels in the whole lough are increasing, and that is a cause for concern.”
“I was grateful for the opportunity to meet local residents that you facilitated, Andrew. The impact of that event was significant, and I am keen that the Forest Service works in conjunction with local people to address any issues in the forest.”
“Forest Service staff were in Donard Forest recently to monitor the functioning of the forest drainage system during storm Amy. High rainfall resulted in extremely large volumes of water running off the hillside that exceeded the capacity of the drainage infrastructure, including the outflow from the forest. In the immediate aftermath of the flooding, the extent of the damage caused to the drainage channels and culverts was inspected. Works are ongoing to repair the damage, and the necessary installation work will be done to increase the flow capacity of culverts to accommodate greater flows with lower risk of impediment. <BR /> <BR />The Forest Service has agreed to meet relevant agencies and residents to consider what more can be done to help lower the risk of flooding in the area.”
“The storm at the beginning of the year had a devastating impact, and I have seen that on the ground in many places. There have been a lot of clearances and then tree planting in response to that. I can understand the concerns from some communities who have seen forests being cleared as a result of the damage that has been inflicted on them, but it is important for the Department to give grant support for the planting of trees more broadly in Northern Ireland, and we should take a more strategic approach to redoubling our efforts. That is why we have announced the tree-planting action plan and, in conjunction with stakeholders, we are getting everyone around the table to focus on the actions to ensure that, despite the storm, we can increase tree cover in Northern Ireland.”
“I am delighted to agree to that. It is a good example of bringing communities together to enjoy the benefits of forestation and tree planting for the local area. I am keen for officials to engage with you on the matter and give any assistance that we can.”
“My Department's Forest Service manages the forest estate to provide a wide range of benefits for our citizens and to ensure its long-term sustainability for future generations. That includes ongoing engagement with a wide range of stakeholders and local community groups in reviewing and developing forest management plans that include the full consideration of societal interests.”
“My Department’s Forest Service works in partnership with local councils, commercial entities and interest groups to facilitate forest-based recreational and environmental projects for local communities across Northern Ireland. The partnerships have proven successful in facilitating numerous development projects across the forest estate and a wide range of community-led events. <BR /> <BR />My Department is committed to increasing woodlands in Northern Ireland, and I have recently announced the development of a tree-planting action plan to be co-designed with key stakeholders. New diverse woodlands support many community interests, including health and well-being, and a wide range of flora and fauna, birds, insects, mammals and their habitats.”
“Following the strategic insight light lab held on 17 June, my Department received a final report from Innovation and Consultancy Services (ICS) in August. The report identified 16 key outputs that have since been refined into six strategic recommendations. On 24 October, I approved the recommendations and a plan with 10 objectives to guide the development of the future delivery of the public angling estate. Officials will now engage with stakeholders to explore the implementation options. All relevant documents have been shared with the participants in the June events, and further updates will be provided at key milestones.”
“We keep the fees under review. I am keen to ensure that there is restocking, but we do not want to enable the spread of zebra mussels. It is about striking a balance, and it is something that is on my radar. I have visited Movanagher and seen the work that is done there, and we are trying to strike a balance between restocking and preventing the spread of zebra mussels, because we can see the impact they have had, for example, in Lough Neagh.”
“That has allowed around 29,500 brown trout to be stocked out over a number of weeks up to 26 March 2025. The Carrickfergus dams were stocked at that time. The window for stocking the PAE from Movanagher closed when water temperatures rose to 10°C. <BR /> <BR />The stocking of fish to the PAE waters is planned for the autumn and winter period of 2025-26, when conditions allow compliance with the Wildlife Order. Only 27 of the 89 PAE waters are normally stocked. Despite the reduced stocking, the waters still contain wild fish suitable for anglers. Therefore, a wide variety of wild fisheries and angling opportunities are available to PAE permit holders.”
“DAERA and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) are developing a stocking protocol to ensure compliance with the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 and prevent the spread of zebra mussels. Results from water sampling at the Department's fish farm at Movanagher have been assessed for the presence or absence of live zebra mussels. That has provided understanding of the level of zebra mussel reproduction across the entire year and identified periods that would permit stocking. Therefore, as a precautionary measure at this time, stocking has taken place only when there has been no live reproduction present and the water temperature has been below 10°C. <BR /> <BR />That stocking approach has allowed a limited stocking of the public angling estate (PAE) waters, which is part of the usual annual stocking programme.”
“As the matter does not sit under my direction and control — it sits under the direction and control of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) — I will refer your question to DEFRA and make sure that it is able to respond to the questions that you have raised. <BR /> <BR />I understand the concerns, and I have been continuing to engage with the UK Government to find a way forward. That is why those schemes have been announced. We have to be clear that the schemes that have been announced will not resolve everything, but I have been very clear in my engagement with the UK Government of the need to ensure that there is a focus on the issue, particularly in relation to communication, SQPs and online sales.”
“The Member makes legitimate points with regard to communication and clarity for the industry. Those are the points that I have been making to the UK Government and will make again today to the Minister of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It is important that there is clarity around the issue and that people understand how to navigate the schemes, because that is probably the key message that has come back to me, alongside other issues, such as suitably qualified persons (SQPs), for example.”
“The policy supports the roll-out of two new schemes that are designed to provide a responsive, adaptable and flexible means of addressing supply issues that arise with veterinary medicines, including unforeseen issues. I believe that the new schemes offer sustainable solutions and represent a significant step forward in securing the future of our local veterinary medicines supply. Over the time ahead, I will continue to engage with the UK Government and the veterinary medicines working group on the important detail, governance and oversight arrangements to ensure that the schemes deliver the outcomes that they are designed to achieve.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will group questions 4 and 9. <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. Nevertheless, I remain committed to doing all that I can to ensure the continued supply of veterinary medicines into Northern Ireland, including those from Great Britain. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the publication of the UK Government's new protecting animal health policy in June 2025 and the practical solutions that it provides to ensure the continued supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland.”
“I am proud to serve as Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Just recently, we consulted on the climate action plan for 2023-27. In that, there are no proposals for herd reduction. We seek to work with the farming community to deliver productivity and efficiency on the ground. We are doing that through the sustainable agriculture programme. We are considering the responses to the climate action plan, and I will seek Executive approval so that we can deliver the just transition and support to everyone in Northern Ireland.”
“It is something that I am determined to do. I will be powering on in relation to climate action, because it is the challenge of our generation, and it is important that we deliver for everyone.”
“It is very disappointing that, just three years after passing the legislation, some parties are calling for the Act to be scrapped. Businesses need certainty. There are economic opportunities from decarbonisation in Northern Ireland, and it is really important that we grasp those. We in Northern Ireland need to be ambitious for our citizens in delivering economic growth and the benefits of decarbonisation, be it in relation to warm homes, cheaper energy bills, green jobs, innovation, improved health and well-being or a cleaner environment.”
“I am very conscious of the developments across the world. The EU has very strong ambitions on climate action. Discussions are ongoing within the European Union. I welcome the fact that the European Union is committed to climate action, and it is important that we do that here as well. It is a reality that is affecting us in Northern Ireland. There are opportunities for economic development, and we should grasp those.”
“A just transition is absolutely key. It is embedded in the legislation and in my Department. We have a just transition fund for agriculture. We secured that as part of the budget for this year. We are bidding for additional funding for next year and the years beyond, because it is important that we give that support to agriculture. <BR /> <BR />In addition, I am looking to set up a just transition commission for Northern Ireland. I am seeking Executive approval so that we can make those regulations and appoint people to a commission. It is important that we have a commission and the funding in place. It is a commitment not only for me but for my Department and, hopefully, the Executive.”