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 thank the Member for his question. It is a critical issue. We are pumping sewage into Lough Neagh, Belfast lough and our waterways, and something needs to be done about it. My responsibility relates to regulation and enforcement. Since NI Water was established in 2007, there has been a separate regulatory regime for NI Water. Farmers often tell me, "That is not fair", and I agree with them. I will need support from Executive colleagues to have a regulation and enforcement regime on sewage pollution that makes it clear that there are no separate arrangements for anyone. That will come forward in the next number of months, and I will need backing on it.”
“We are considering a number of Shared Island opportunities. Departmental officials are engaging with the Irish Government's Shared Island initiative unit to explore a Natura Communities network proposal. That will build on the work that has already been successfully undertaken by the Shared Island initiative peatland programme and will provide €5 million for the establishment and implementation of the Natura Communities networks. <BR /> <BR />Departmental officials will engage further with the Irish Government's Shared Island initiative unit to explore opportunities to improve water quality in the Lough Neagh catchment area and more widely on the island of Ireland. Any such proposals will build on and support the actions in the Lough Neagh action plan that is being progressed.”
“I anticipate the launch of the public consultation on the draft strategy later this year. I remain committed to publishing a robust strategy that will deliver real benefits to human health and the environment across Northern Ireland.”
“Thank you very much, Nick. The clean air strategy is an important initiative that my Department is taking forward. We are engaging with other Departments with responsibility for minimising polluting emissions to air to agree the actions that each Department can include in the draft clean air strategy. Good progress has been made on the development of the draft strategy. <BR /> <BR />I have met my officials to set out my policy direction, and liaison is ongoing between DAERA, the Department for the Economy, the Department for Infrastructure, the Department of Health and the Department for Communities. A draft of the clean air strategy was recently shared with those Departments. My officials are reviewing the feedback that was received and revising the strategy to reflect those views.”
“However, it is about more than just water quality; it also relates to nature and biodiversity. There are a number of Shared Island and PEACE PLUS initiatives, and it is really good that we have those, but we will need to redouble our efforts and to work North/South. I welcome the fact that the Irish Government have included cooperation North/South in their Programme for Government, and that is why we work together on the issues.”
“I confirm that Lough Neagh was discussed at the North/South Ministerial Council environment sectoral meeting, because it is a shared challenge, given that the catchment area covers North and South. A lot of good work is being done North and South, but we need to do more. Discussions are ongoing about the potential for a Shared Island initiative on Lough Neagh. I want to be able to support the farming community on the road ahead, particularly taking into account the success of the South's agricultural sustainability support and advisory programme (ASSAP) and the sustainable catchment programme in the North, which are similar initiatives. They are an opportunity for us to collaborate on the issues. <BR /> <BR />We will continue to engage. There is strong and positive engagement.”
“There are significant opportunities for investment as we transition towards a more sustainable economy, including good green jobs and increased energy security from renewables. The poorest in our society should not be left to bear the consequences of wild price fluctuations at the behest of dictatorships that own fossil fuel supplies. Decarbonisation will improve the health and well-being of our citizens, especially the most vulnerable, if we focus on a fair and just transition through which everyone can benefit. Strong climate and environmental credentials will be critical, if we are to attract inward investment, maximise economic opportunities, develop skills and compete on an international scale while showcasing the best of Northern Ireland.”
“Throughout my time as AERA Minister, I have been clear about the importance that I place on climate action. The journey to net zero is the defining challenge of our generation. The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 was a central feature of the judgement made in the High Court on 23 June 2025. I have decided that it is appropriate for my Department to apply to the court to formally intervene in the appeal. The focus will be on clarifying the interpretation of the legislation so that it can be fully implemented as intended. <BR /> <BR />We have made much progress on climate action since I took up office, and I am determined that that will continue. Achieving the targets requires collective leadership. All Ministers and all Departments can and must play a role together.”
“We have seen the situation that has been unfolding in Cork, and we have to be conscious of the need to respond to it.”
“In parallel, NIEA is exploring opportunities for sharing training and equipment to strengthen preparedness and response capabilities across the island. Furthermore, NIEA has been invited to partake in the review of the response to the current outbreak in Ireland, enabling valuable lessons to be identified and incorporated into Northern Ireland's contingency planning, should a similar incident arise. <BR /> <BR />My concerns about the matter are significant. NIEA is working through the terms of preparations should such an eventuality arrive in Northern Ireland. If it does, I need to level with Members today and say that we will have to stop doing many other pieces of work so that we can divert resources to deal with it. It is a concern.”
“People will be aware that an Asian hornet sighting was confirmed in Cork on 13 August and that, subsequently, the National Parks and Wildlife Service confirmed that a nest was successfully located on Thursday 28 August. That highlights the fact that that high-risk species has the ability to reproduce on the island of Ireland. <BR /> <BR />NIEA is actively collaborating with colleagues in the Republic of Ireland through the Shared Island biosecurity and invasive species initiative to monitor developments and share intelligence on the evolving situation south of the border. As part of that effort, a DAERA representative has been invited to join the Irish Government's Asian hornet management group, facilitating timely and effective information exchange between the jurisdictions.”
“Thank you, Mr Buckley. There has been quite a lot of interest in the small business research initiative (SBRI), so we have had to go through a competitive call. Some companies made it through that and others did not. Subsequent to that call, people have come forward with further initiatives. We have had to consider whether we should do a further round because companies have been coming forward with additional interventions. That is something on which I will engage with officials. If people have good ideas and we want to be able to test them, we should provide a mechanism for doing so.”
“The climate action plan is out for consultation. I encourage everyone to have their say on that because it is a key intervention for us in Northern Ireland and a requirement that has arisen from the climate change legislation. It is important that we deliver upon that legislation. Public events are ongoing, and I encourage people to feed back to them.”
“Hopefully, we can get that support to fisheries and coastal communities in Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Member for her question. It is important that we engage with the fishery sector because it is one of the key sectors that will be affected. It is important that I put it on record that I believe in the importance of that engagement. I also believe in supporting our fishery sector in Northern Ireland. I have had regular engagement with DEFRA on the fisheries and coastal development fund to get clarity on where that funding will go so that we can get it rolled out. There are new DEFRA ministers in post, and I will continue to engage with them. It is regrettable that that change has occurred because I met with Daniel Zeichner just a few weeks ago and we were making good progress. However, we are starting with a fresh team, and I will start with a fresh approach.”
“I am focused on delivery and on addressing these issues, rather than on walking away from them.”
“I am taking all the actions that are possible within the legal vires of the Department. We are working quite hard to address the concerns that have been raised with me on the odour issues in Warrenpoint. It is important that I put that on the record. I consider these issues to be important, but we have to work within the legal powers of my Department, specifically in relation to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. <BR /> <BR />The last inspection of the facility by NIEA officials was on 14 August, and we will continue to do what we can within our legal powers. That stands in stark contrast to the approach of your party and the SDLP, which was to down tools and walk away from the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority. The politics of boycott do not deliver for Northern Ireland.”
“I will make announcements in the next period on how we will support the NGOs to take practical action to restore nature in Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I welcome him to his post and look forward to working with him as his party's spokesperson on agriculture, environment and rural affairs matters. <BR /> <BR />We are talking about North/South cooperation. I outlined the areas that we discussed. It is important that we have strategies so that we have an overall policy framework, but it is also important that we take action. On Lough Neagh, the key area of focus and action is the Lough Neagh action plan that was agreed and published in July last year. I am focused upon the delivery of that, because the people of Northern Ireland deserve delivery on the key issues. In terms of nature recovery, later this month, we will launch a consultation on the nature recovery strategy. It is really important that we take action in that area.”
“Ministers welcomed the engagement of officials on water quality issues through the North/South water quality coordination group. <BR /> <BR />The Council agreed to hold its next meeting in this sectoral format in autumn 2025. <BR /> <BR />In closing, I am pleased to be able to report on a very productive and constructive meeting. I look forward to continuing to work with my counterparts in Ireland on all areas of cooperation in the North/South Ministerial Council's environment sector. I commend the statement to the Assembly and welcome any questions.”
“<BR /> <BR />On water quality and waste water management, Ministers welcomed the launch of the Northern Ireland Executive-approved Lough Neagh report and action plan on 23 July last year, the publication of Ireland's third cycle of the river basin management plan, the 'Water Action Plan 2024', on 5 September 2024, and the Northern Ireland Executive's approval of the third cycle of the river basin management plan on 5 June 2025 and its publication on 13 June. <BR /> <BR />The North/South Ministerial Council noted the holding of a catchment community fora workshop and the continued progress in developing the cross-jurisdictional pilot catchment work plan that is being undertaken in the Newry, Fane, Glyde and Dee catchment.”
“<BR /> <BR />The North/South Ministerial Council agreed that officials should work jointly on topics such as the participation of coastal and island communities in management action and environmental stewardship; the valuation of marine ecosystem services; nature-based solutions and measures to protect and restore natural carbon stores; designation and management of marine-protected areas; and measures to achieve offshore renewable energy targets while ensuring the protection of marine ecosystems.”
“<BR /> <BR />Ministers agreed to continued North/South cooperation to develop policy and legislation that gives regard to the transboundary nature of marine ecosystems and to provide opportunities for cooperation on science and research projects, knowledge exchange between officials and, where necessary, the development and/or alignment of transboundary management measures.”
“<BR /> <BR />On cooperation on the marine environment and marine-protected areas, the Council welcomed ongoing North/South cooperation in developing policy and legislative frameworks that follow the ecosystem-based approach and provide protection for coastal and marine habitats, species and marine ecosystem services. Ministers welcomed the presentation from a DAERA official on the Northern Ireland blue carbon action plan 2025-2030 — the co-delivery policy for nature recovery.”
“<BR /> <BR />As regards cooperation on biodiversity, the North/South Ministerial Council noted the commitment of officials in both jurisdictions to engage biannually on matters relating to biodiversity, with a focus on conservation action and restoration initiatives, and welcomed the continued cooperation on biodiversity projects that are funded under the PEACE PLUS programme and the Shared Island initiative. Ministers endorsed the ambition to share best practice through programmes such as Farming for Nature and Farming with Nature; encouraged knowledge transfer of successful delivery in the European innovation partnership programme, the LIFE project and the environmental farming scheme; and encouraged collaborative engagement on natural capital accounting approaches to habitat mapping and ecosystem assessments.”
“Ministers noted the opportunities that the bioeconomy can offer through sustainable and circular bio-based innovations and solutions for climate action, culminating in a just transition from a linear to a circular economy in both jurisdictions. <BR /> <BR />The North/South Ministerial Council welcomed the progress that had been achieved by both Administrations in developing and implementing initiatives, including strategies and action plans on a North/South basis, and agreed that officials should continue to collaborate on key issues that affect the bioeconomy.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council agreed that both Administrations will continue to work together to maximise opportunities for environmental research and funding, including those offered by PEACE PLUS, Horizon Europe, the Innovation Fund Ireland, the North/South research programme, the Shared Island bioeconomy demonstration initiative, the DAERA/Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) collaborative research programme and the US-Ireland R&D partnership programme. <BR /> <BR />The focus was on the bioeconomy in the area of climate change mitigation and adaptation.”
“Ministers also welcomed the ongoing collaborative environmental research projects, such as the jointly funded co-centres, and the CREDA, HIGH-GREEN and sustainable, integrated, optimised electrification and automation of transportation networks (SPECTATOR) projects funded through the Government of Ireland’s North/South research programme as part of the Shared Island initiative.”
“The statement has been endorsed by junior Ministers Reilly and Cameron, and they agreed that I should make the statement to the House. <BR /> <BR />I am pleased to report that it was a very useful and constructive meeting and that progress was made in all the areas that were discussed. I will now summarise the discussions and each paper in turn and the main outcomes and agreements that were reached. <BR /> <BR />On cooperation on environmental research and funding opportunities, Ministers welcomed the strong links between researchers in both jurisdictions in the field of environmental research, including through ongoing projects funded through collaborative funding programmes in both jurisdictions and via European-funded programmes.”
“I will make a statement, in compliance with section 52 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, on the twenty-fifth North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) environment sectoral meeting, which was held in the Loughs Agency's offices in Carlingford on 4 July of this year. <BR /> <BR />The Northern Ireland Executive were represented at the meeting by junior Minister Aisling Reilly MLA, junior Minister Pam Cameron MLA and me. I chaired the meeting. The Irish Government were represented by Darragh O'Brien TD, the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment and Christopher O’Sullivan TD, the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for nature, heritage and biodiversity.”
“I recognise that we have outlined the position to date, and, obviously, we will reflect on that. John is chair of the all-party group on animal welfare. He, rightly, outlined concerns about celebrities purchasing mutilated pets. We all have a responsibility to ensure that we do not subject animals to that suffering, and we should not profile it on social media channels. He is right to call that out. <BR /> <BR />I commend the legislative consent motion to the House and thank everyone who contributed.”
“I thank the Chair for his intervention. I cannot give him an assurance that that will be resolved, but I can assure him that I will write to the UK Government to outline the concerns that he expressed. <BR /> <BR />I thank Patsy McGlone for his contribution. We should emphasise the importance of the welfare of companion animals in Northern Ireland and how that reflects the values of our society. I also thank the Opposition. Before the leader of the Opposition left, he promised that he would buy me a pint of Fursty Ferret beer. I intend to hold him to that. The official Opposition — really good. I will hold you to that. <BR /> <BR />I thank Áine for her support for the Bill, as well as others for theirs, including Michelle McIlveen and John Blair.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I will be brief in my summary. I am very grateful for the contributions that were made in the Chamber and for the scrutiny that the Committee provided in advance of the debate. <BR /> <BR />The Chairperson of the Committee asked what further steps I will take to address divergence. I am in regular discussions with the UK Government about that in a range of areas. I will be sure to continue those discussions in the time ahead. Engagement with the UK Government on those issues is important. There has been positive progress in a number of areas, particularly on dental amalgam, for example, on which engagement has proven to be fruitful.”
“<BR /> <BR />In summary, I seek consent today to enable my Department to obtain additional powers to secure the welfare of dogs, cats and ferrets and to close off loopholes that allow the continued existence of mutilated companion animals in Northern Ireland. The Bill will not change the law directly here; rather, my Department will be able to lay legislation in the Assembly that will be subject to scrutiny and the affirmative resolution procedure. I hope that the LCM will enjoy the Assembly's support and, accordingly, I commend the motion to the House.”
“The maximum penalty that would apply if an offence were sent to a Crown Court is imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or a fine or both. That is in line with existing parallel offences under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. <BR /> <BR />Finally, the Bill will provide no powers to restrict movements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, nor will it impact on the UK internal market. It is already illegal to place on the market or sell a cat, dog or ferret with any sort of mutilation in any part of the UK, and it is illegal to have such procedures performed in any part of the UK. The Bill has been drafted to enable laws to be made to prevent those animals from entering the UK market in the first place via imports from third countries.”
“Therefore, regulations could include the right to inspect, seize, search and detain but also the ability to exempt cats and dogs from prohibitions where specified circumstances are set out and adhered to. That will enable my Department to put in place processes to allow individuals or organisations to rescue mutilated animals, for example, to bring them back to Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The Bill also includes powers to establish criminal offences in relation to the importation of cats and dogs that breaches any conditions imposed. The draft provisions provide that the offences contained in any regulations could be heard in a Magistrates' Court or a Crown Court. Sanctions and penalties would range from a fine to a custodial sentence or both.”
“<BR /> <BR />With regard to restricting the import of cats, dogs and ferrets on welfare grounds, I will now turn to the provisions that will be applicable to Northern Ireland for which I seek the legislative consent of the Assembly. The Bill will confer a power on all relevant national authorities in the UK to make regulations in their respective legislatures on importing cats, dogs or ferrets that promote the welfare of those animals. In the case of Northern Ireland, the national authority will be my Department. The power will enable my Department to bring secondary legislation to the Assembly to prohibit the direct importation of cats and dogs that have been mutilated. The Bill will also enable relevant national authorities to outline the extent of the provisions that should be contained in any secondary legislation.”
“Under the auspices of the Paws for Thought group, my Department has worked with the police, the harbour police, the two main ferry companies and councils to implement new processes to log, track and check movements of dogs through Larne and Belfast harbours. I saw that last year in operation, and I pay tribute to everyone who is involved in that. In the past five years, figures obtained by my Department suggest, dog transports to Great Britain have fallen by as much as 50%. While that is a sign of good progress, I am far from complacent. Puppy trafficking here is not eradicated, and there is always the need to be on high alert. The joint working of the Paws for Thought group members has severely dented the trade, helped to secure transport bans and led to successful prosecutions.”
“The EFRA Committee also heard that smugglers would try to circumvent puppy smuggling initiatives by presenting with a pregnant dog into Great Britain, again under the pretence that the dog is a personal pet. <BR /> <BR />I assure the House that those are not scenarios that we encounter in Northern Ireland; the position here could not be more different. Northern Ireland has been a hub, unfortunately, for puppy trafficking, and that criminal enterprise has been an indigenous affair, and my use of the words "has been" is quite deliberate. Since 2020, my Department has taken significant strides to tackle puppy smuggling in Northern Ireland.”
“I want to provide Members with the detail of the origins of the legislative amendments, in particular the proposal to restrict non-commercial imports of dogs and cats from five animals to three. <BR /> <BR />The desire to change the law in Great Britain is a response to recommendations made to the UK Government by the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee. The EFRA Committee highlighted concerns around movements into Great Britain from continental Europe using English Channel ferry ports. Submissions made to the Committee suggested that traffickers would try to bypass commercial import rules by presenting consignments of low-welfare pups as their personal animals in batches of five.”
“The amendments proposed in the Bill will reduce from five to three the number of personal pet dogs and cats that anyone can take into Great Britain from countries outside the UK. In effect, it will result in any movement of more than three cats or dogs being categorised as a commercial movement. This part of the Bill also contains an enabling power to permit England, Scotland and Wales to make regulations that would restrict the importation of cats and dogs that are below the age of six months, are more than 42 days pregnant or have been mutilated. <BR /> <BR />The EU pet travel and welfare during transport law is contained in annex 2 to the Windsor framework and continues to apply in Northern Ireland. It is not possible to replicate those provisions here, as that is likely to be deemed contrary to EU law.”
“It covers two topics: the non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets entering Great Britain from countries beyond the United Kingdom; and the welfare of dogs, cats and ferrets that are brought into any part of the UK, including Northern Ireland, from countries beyond the UK. It is only the welfare element of the Bill that will apply to Northern Ireland, but I will explain how all parts of the Bill will operate. <BR /> <BR />I will begin with the non-commercial movement of animals into Great Britain. The Bill will amend the assimilated law version of EU regulation 576/2013 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals. Members may have heard that regulation being referenced as the "pet travel regulation".”
“In retrospect, a more effective use of time would have been to approach the Committee at the same time as Executive consent was being sought, because obtaining Executive consent took much longer than anticipated. I understand that my officials addressed that matter with the Chair of the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee during a recent oral evidence session. Nevertheless, I appreciate the cooperation, again, of the AERA Committee in facilitating the LCM. <BR /> <BR />The Bill is quite short: it contains eight clauses, five of which apply to Northern Ireland.”
“I am moving the motion inside that period as the Bill is due to complete Report Stage in the House of Commons this Friday. It is my understanding that, as the Bill is a private Member's Bill (PMB), it cannot be amended once it moves to the Lords. Therefore, it is essential to seek Members' consent today and, more important, not retrospectively. <BR /> <BR />In order to take forward the legislative consent motion (LCM), my Department had to fulfil a number of internal obligations, including legal scrutiny of the Bill and impact assessments. Once that was completed, it was deemed that the most appropriate course of action was to seek Executive approval.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to speak about the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, which is progressing through Parliament. Before I do so, I acknowledge that the Assembly's Standing Orders state that:”
“I will have those discussions with you, John, about the specific issues that you raised about Carrickfergus. Hopefully, we can move forward constructively. <BR /> <BR />This is what the Assembly is about. Legislation is the meat of the Assembly, and I am glad that we are moving forward with it.”
“<BR /> <BR />We are all proud to be public representatives. We stand for election to serve the people, and it is really gut-wrenching to see certain parts of our villages, towns and cities allowed to slide into decay. We want areas that we were once proud of not to be like that, and, hopefully, the legislation will provide the power to turn the situation around. It has been a long time coming, but it is here now. If the Bill passes Second Stage, I will seek, as will officials, to work with the Committee at the Committee Stage of scrutiny on any concerns that it has. My commitment to dealing with dilapidation in local neighbourhoods and to working with other Departments is significant. <BR /> <BR />I have heard particular concerns, and I want to take those forward.”
“I agree. The legislation will have teeth, and we need to make sure that the councils apply it so that there is a deterrent effect when it comes to people allowing buildings to get into a dilapidated state. There is localism in Northern Ireland, in that district councils can decide what way they are going forward on the issue. For example, two councils have not signed up to the fly-tipping protocol in Northern Ireland. I have written to those councils to ask them to sign up to that, but we all need to work together on it. People can shape local solutions to the issues. Ultimately, if we pass the legislation, as, I hope, we will, which will be a good moment for the Assembly, it will be for district councils to show that they will use the powers to provide a deterrent and not allow those things to happen.”
“<BR /> <BR />John Stewart raised a number of issues, particularly about Carrickfergus. His council colleague Lauren Gray has also raised those issues with me. I am assured that there are strong and powerful advocates for Carrickfergus. I get the feeling that there is a sense that, sometimes, nothing can be done. There is a sense of fatalism around the issue. Stewart Dickson showed me some of the buildings in Carrick, and I get that. Hopefully, the Bill will give us the power to address those issues. John Stewart raised the £500 fine. I hope that I have addressed that point in my response to Mr Carroll. He asked about how similar provisions operate elsewhere, particularly in the Isle of Man. I will ask officials to get me advice on that, and I will write to you about it.”
“No problem, Gerry. That issue, which relates to housing and CPOs, is not considered to be the primary effect of the Bill. I get the fact that dilapidated buildings cause issues for the wider neighbourhood, because people then move out or do not want to buy the properties. That will be where the benefits can arise. As part of the Committee's scrutiny function, it may also want to consider how that would interact with the wider desire to ensure that we have quality housing for citizens in Northern Ireland and how those things interrelate. <BR /> <BR />Gerry raised the issue of selling public buildings to the private sector. That is not really my gig, to be honest, but fair play to you. The other issue was about rates relief. I will write to the Finance Minister about that.”