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.”
The complete record
Every one of 4,733 lines we hold for Andrew Muir, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 41 of 95.
“We must continue to convey clear messages about the importance of responsible sourcing, of maintaining high biosecurity standards and of promptly reporting any unusual symptoms in order to help protect Northern Ireland's farms and wider industry. I request that Members assist me in disseminating key messages about responsible sourcing, maintaining vigilance and the need for farmers immediately to report any unusual symptoms. Those steps will further help ensure the protection of our livestock, as well as the agriculture sector, which is vital to our economy.”
“The guidance emphasises the importance of maintaining high biosecurity standards in order to help reduce the risk of transmission of the three diseases. Continued vigilance is paramount, and it is essential that private veterinary practitioners and flock keepers remain alert to any unusual symptoms and report them immediately to a veterinarian or directly to DAERA. Further detail, including photos of clinical signs of foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza and bluetongue, is available on the DAERA website. <BR /> <BR />Although we have implemented significant protective measures, there is no room for complacency.”
“That will cover developments across those current three threats to our agri-food industry and include engagement on many other challenges that must be heightened that are a risk to livestock in Northern Ireland, including African swine fever and the ongoing spread and maintenance of endemic diseases such as bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) and TB. <BR /> <BR />My Department will also continue to deploy wide-ranging communications reminding all farmers and flock keepers of the necessity of adhering to high levels of biosecurity. Comprehensive biosecurity guidance is available on the DAERA website, and adhering to it protects against disease spread in general and the triple-threat animal disease that our wider agri-food industry is facing.”
“I will also keep in regular close contact on those matters with my colleagues in the South. I will ensure that updates are provided, as necessary, to my Executive colleagues and also, importantly, to the AERA Committee in the first instance, and will be happy to return to the House if there are any further significant and serious developments in the time ahead. <BR /> <BR />My officials will continue extensive ongoing engagement with officials across all jurisdictions. They will also ensure regular and timely updates to all our stakeholders.”
“That is of paramount importance as we turn towards spring and summer, which bring with them warmer weather and the increase in midge activity that can result in the spread of BTV from animal to animal and herd to herd. As we head into that period, my officials are planning further extensive communications on how farmers should remain vigilant for BTV. My Department stands ready to take any possible steps, in conjunction with key stakeholders, to mitigate BTV incursion and spread. <BR />I will turn to next steps and communications. In the coming weeks, I will chair the next scheduled meeting of the UK inter-ministerial group for environment, food and rural affairs, where that triple threat to animal health, and therefore to farmers' livelihoods and economies across all jurisdictions, is to be discussed.”
“<BR /> <BR />At present, the disease threat to Northern Ireland has been determined as "medium", and the highest risk of disease incursion is controlled as susceptible animals cannot be imported here from Great Britain. My officials will continue to monitor developments across Great Britain and work closely with all stakeholders, including colleagues in the Republic of Ireland, whom they most recently met only last week to determine next steps and what approaches we would advance immediately in the face of any incursion. I have also been engaging with my counterparts in Great Britain and in the South on the matter since last summer. It is crucial that we work closely together to mitigate any spread of that devastating disease to the island of Ireland, in particular, which, as you know, is considered one epidemiological unit.”
“That followed robust assessment by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and extensive engagement with stakeholders across the UK. While the approval of unauthorised vaccines is UK-wide, the decision to use them under licence is a devolved matter. At this juncture, the use of those approved unauthorised vaccines under general licence is for livestock keepers in England. Recently, the Welsh Government approved the use of the three unauthorised BTV-3 vaccines for voluntary use under general licence in Wales from 1 March 2025. Direct movement of all live ruminants and camelids from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is still suspended. The use of approved unauthorised vaccines in England and Wales does not impact on that.”
“<BR /> <BR />On 11 November 2023, DEFRA confirmed the presence of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) in a single cow in Kent. That follows the spread of the disease on continental Europe. BTV-3 has now been confirmed in over 200 premises in Great Britain. One case of BTV-12 has also been confirmed in England. Two cases in Wales were found in sheep that had been moved legally from the east of England. Further sampling and testing in Wales indicate that the disease is not spreading locally. The restricted zone now covers a significant proportion of the east of England. A map detailing the restricted zone can be accessed on the gov.uk website. <BR /> <BR />On Wednesday 4 September 2024, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs approved three unauthorised BTV-3 vaccines.”
“The third animal disease threat to our agri-food industry remains that of bluetongue, which is an insect-borne viral disease to which all species of ruminants are susceptible, although sheep are most severely affected. Cattle and goats that often appear to be healthy can carry high levels of the virus and provide a source of further infection. The disease is caused by a virus that is transmitted by certain species of biting midges. Animal-to-animal transmission is not reported, except through the transplacental route. The species of midge that carries the infection is found in Northern Ireland. Bluetongue can reduce milk yield, cause sickness and reduce reproductive performance. It can also have a major impact on trade. It is a disease of animals, not humans, so there are no human or public health issues.”
“My officials, including the Chief Veterinary Officer, remain in close contact with colleagues across the other jurisdictions and keep key industry stakeholders regularly updated on our response to those incursions. <BR /> <BR />The processes required have demonstrated good operational capability, which bodes well for confidence in the commitment of officials and the industry to react with the necessary actions. However, I am conscious of resource limitations should more than one of these animal disease threats impact on Northern Ireland concurrently or should we face a prolonged period of challenge.”
“In addition, a ban on poultry gatherings has been implemented in conjunction with the housing order. The housing order legally requires all bird keepers, including owners of pet birds, commercial flocks and backyard and hobby flocks, to keep their birds indoors or otherwise separate from wild birds. I was pleased that engagement with my counterpart in the Republic of Ireland, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, resulted in the housing order applying in both jurisdictions from Monday 17 February. The AIPZ and associated housing order will remain in force until the risk of further incursions has decreased. My Department will keep that regularly under review.”
“The decision to introduce the AIPZ followed a disease risk assessment by DAERA veterinary officials that took several risk factors into consideration, including results from wild bird investigations. The measures in the AIPZ include stringent mandatory biosecurity measures to help prevent the spread of the disease from wild birds or another source to poultry; a requirement that poultry or other captive birds are provided with food and water to which wild birds have no access; and mandatory rules on cleaning and disinfection. <BR /> <BR />I then took the decision on 12 February to introduce a mandatory housing order across all of Northern Ireland for all kept birds and poultry, effective from 12.01 am on Monday 17 February. That was announced on Wednesday 12 February to permit time for the industry to prepare.”
“The captive bird monitoring zone around the premises near Magherafelt has been lifted as of 4 March. The control zones around the three commercial premises will be lifted once all the required surveillance activities are complete. All flock keepers who are within a disease control zone will have been contacted with information on the restrictions and requirements laid down by my Department for the movement of poultry and poultry-related products. A movement licensing centre has been established to facilitate those movements. <BR /> <BR />As Members will be aware, I introduced an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ) across Northern Ireland on Saturday 18 January 2025.”
“It is vital that we protect that industry. <BR /> <BR />I will outline the measures that are being taken by my Department in response to the recent incursions of highly pathogenic avian influenza here in Northern Ireland. My Department has completed the depopulation of the four sites where the disease was confirmed. The total number of birds culled was approximately 110,000. I put on record my thanks for the engagement and cooperation of the affected flock owners during what I recognise was an incredibly difficult time for them and their families. I also thank my officials for their work on that. <BR /> <BR />My Department has also implemented disease control zones that have been placed around all premises, with the necessary surveillance activities ongoing.”
“<BR /> <BR />Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease affecting the respiratory, digestive and/or nervous system of many species of birds, and it is essential to emphasise that failure to report it constitutes an offence. The advice from the Public Health Agency (PHA) notes that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and that the risk to the general public's health is very low. The advice from the Food Standards Agency notes that avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers and that properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. Northern Ireland relies heavily on the wider agri-food industry as a source of employment. Poultry and egg production contributes significantly to the agri-food economy and is valued at over £600 million.”
“The plan was tested extensively during a UK national exercise in 2018 and subsequent UK tabletop exercises as recently as last year. The actions that will be taken, alongside our strong veterinary surveillance system to detect unusual disease symptoms, include prompt follow-up investigations of any suspect cases. <BR /> <BR />I now turn to avian influenza. As Members will be aware, to date this year, there have been three incursions of highly pathogenic avian influenza into commercial poultry premises, all in County Tyrone, and one incursion into captive bird premises near Magherafelt. There have also been 42 cases in England and one in Scotland. There have been no cases in the Republic of Ireland.”
“I say, "Thank you" to my officials for their work in this and many other areas. <BR /> <BR />On foot-and-mouth disease preparedness in Northern Ireland, as was outlined to Members in my written ministerial statement following the first case of foot-and-mouth disease in Germany in January, my Department has well-established, robust disease control contingency plans in place to manage the risk of disease incursions and to protect farmers and food security. The foot-and-mouth disease response plan outlines clear procedures for responding to suspected cases of foot-and-mouth disease, including rapid diagnostic testing, protocols to restrict animal movements and the establishment of disease control zones to mitigate onward spread of the disease.”
“Departmental officials advise that there have been no movements of susceptible live animals from Hungary or Slovakia to Northern Ireland since the beginning of this year. <BR /> <BR />I hope to have a meeting shortly with my counterpart at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD. I am requesting urgent meetings with ministerial colleagues at DEFRA to discuss the developments, and I will seek to ensure a unified response across the UK and, I note, Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Ireland, Brian Dooher, and officials are maintaining close and frequent communication with their counterparts across these islands to facilitate a comprehensive response. My departmental officials met key industry stakeholders on Friday evening to keep them apprised of the situation.”
“They reiterate, however, that they have not confirmed any outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and have not had a case in 50 years. German officials have finished surveillance in the zones established in response to the outbreak there on 10 January, and, thankfully, there have been no further confirmations. <BR /> <BR />To protect Northern Ireland, we have strict import controls on the movement of animals and animal products from areas affected by foot-and-mouth disease. That means that all susceptible species and their products from disease control areas in Hungary are restricted from entering Northern Ireland. That is similar to the measures that were implemented following the case of foot-and-mouth disease in Germany.”
“<BR /> <BR />In 2001, an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease resulted in dire consequences for our farming community and the wider economy, costing approximately £8 billion across the UK. The emergence of the disease in Hungary, following so quickly after the recent finding in Germany, is therefore a significant concern not only for our livestock owners but for the entire agriculture sector across the UK, Ireland and the EU. <BR /> <BR />Officials in Hungary are implementing steps to prevent further spread of the disease, including the culling and safe disposal of all susceptible animals on the affected holding, and establishing disease control zones. Slovakian authorities have instigated corresponding 3 km and 10 km zones as a result of the confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease in Hungary.”
“<BR /> <BR />An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed in a dairy cattle herd in Hungary, near its border with Slovakia, on 6 March 2025. That outbreak, the first in Hungary in almost 50 years, followed confirmation of the disease on 10 January in a herd of water buffalo in Brandenburg, north of Berlin in Germany. As many Members will be aware, foot-and-mouth is a severe and highly contagious viral disease that affects cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals. It is a notifiable disease, and failure to report it constitutes an offence. Foot-and-mouth disease is not considered to be a public health threat, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed that products of animal origin remain safe for consumption.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to make a statement to the Assembly on the recent confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Hungary. I also intend to use the statement to highlight recent developments and ongoing departmental actions with regards to the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Northern Ireland and the ongoing incursion of the bluetongue virus in Great Britain. Those three diseases, at present, pose a triple threat to our local industry, and we must take all possible action to mitigate them in order to protect farmers' livelihoods, our poultry and livestock and the wider agri-food economy. I will explain how I intend to keep Members apprised of ongoing developments in those areas.”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. When answering a question last week during Question Time in relation to the management of poultry litter, I referred to Northern Ireland Water when I meant to refer to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. I just want to correct the record. Thank you.”
“Yes. I get excited about that, and I am conscious that we are coming towards 2.45 pm. There is real potential in that, but we have to make sure that there are proper regulations associated with it. Officials are engaging intensively with the Department for the Economy on that. That has real potential to allow us to view things in a different manner, and we are keen to progress that. I am conscious of the developments across the border as well.”
“That largely sits within the Department for the Economy, but we have a role to play in marine licensing. We have been doing some work there on the fees so that we have full cost recovery to ensure that there is resourcing around that. We have a potential role to play in the Forest Service estate, and we will progress an initiative to see if there is any interest in that. We need to reach our renewable energy targets, but that should not be to the detriment of the environment. That is something that I raised with Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, just recently.”
“An established process is in place for declaring interests. They are kept on a register, and it is important that that occurs. If the Member has a concern that guidance has not been followed, I am happy to consider correspondence in relation to that. <BR /> <BR />I am proud of the work that my officials do. I have confidence in them, because they are driven by science and evidence in the decisions that we make. There are lots of challenges in Northern Ireland, but we are working through those, and, hopefully, we are giving people confidence that we are determined to do that. I know that some of the decisions that we are having to take are difficult, but that is what government is about.”
“That is set out in Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) HR policy. If the Member has concerns, I am happy for him to write to me, and I can consider them. However, that is the established process in all Departments.”
“<BR /> <BR />Comments last month by John McLenaghan, deputy president of the Ulster Farmers' Union, on the issue of ammonia were very useful, as have been the contributions of Northern Ireland Environment Link, as we work together, proving that environment and farming go hand in hand. I am quietly confident that we can step forward positively on the matter with the help of technology. The forthcoming SEA consultation is important so that we avoid any delays in progress on this important issue.”
“Thank you, David. On taking up office as Minister, I inherited a number of significant challenges, ammonia being one of them. The recent Office for Environmental Protection report sets out clearly the issues, challenges and legal requirements. I encourage everyone to read it. <BR /> <BR />Being conscious of the significance of the issue to both farmers and the environment, I have convened a number of ministerial round-table meetings with stakeholders on the issue — the most recent being last week — focused on finding a way forward that protects the natural environment, drives down emissions and seeks to address practical problems such as replacement farm buildings. I will continue to engage with stakeholders and officials to find practical solutions that ensure that we operate within the legal framework.”
“A separate site-specific programme is to be developed to take forward spatially targeted measures at designated sites as part of the combined approach to ammonia. That approach will comprise three components: the ammonia strategy, the operation protocol and the site-specific approach. Further consultation on the mandatory measures in the proposed ammonia strategy will take place as part of a nitrates action programme (NAP) review. Those are occurring elsewhere and should not be a surprise to many in moving to 100% low emission slurry spreading equipment (LESSE) by 2030 and a prohibition on the use of urea fertiliser without inhibitor. <BR /> <BR />I encourage everyone to respond to the consultations that I have cited.”
“The strategic environmental assessment (SEA) has been completed for the combined proposed ammonia strategy and revised operational protocol. An eight-week public consultation on the strategic environmental assessment report will be launched at the end of this week. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide their views as part of that consultation, and an update will be given on the ammonia strategy. <BR /> <BR />Changes have been made to the ammonia strategy following the consultation. The ammonia strategy's vision, objective and outcomes have been updated. Targets have been revised and supporting information provided. The proposed mandatory spatially targeted measures around designated sites will not be taken forward in the ammonia strategy.”
“Thank you, David, for your question. Whilst it is not something that we can see, for example, in relation to water quality, ammonia is a key issue. Action on ammonia is required to support local farm businesses whilst protecting our environment and meeting our legislative requirements. We must put Northern Ireland agriculture on a pathway to meet UK national emissions ceiling regulations targets for reductions in ammonia emissions by 2030. <BR /> <BR />A draft ammonia strategy that proposed a series of measures to reduce ammonia emissions underwent public consultation from 4 January to 3 March 2023 and attracted a high level of interest. The responses to that consultation have been used to inform the proposed ammonia strategy.”
“I will be delighted to visit Mount Stewart with you and to engage with the National Trust on the impact of the storm. As has been reported to the general public, approximately 10,000 trees were lost in Mount Stewart as a result of the storm. That is a concern for so many people in the Strangford constituency and beyond, and I will be delighted to go along with you to see the work that the National Trust is doing in response to that.”
“Whilst access to numerous sites was initially blocked and some sites were closed in the immediate aftermath of the storm, contractors were engaged with my officials, and those sites are now open to access.”
“That is ongoing and will take a number of weeks to complete. <BR /> <BR />In the immediate aftermath of the storm, the focus was to prioritise the capability of the Department and the available contractors to carry out clearance works in order to reinstate access for neighbours and businesses. My Department also worked with other agencies to reopen public roads and to assist in reconnecting electricity and utility supplies. We are continuing our work, including with recreational partners, to expedite tree clearance works in the areas most affected by reduced recreational provision. <BR /> <BR />My Department's country park sites were also significantly affected by the storm, which resulted in damage to woodland areas and many fallen trees.”
“Thank you for your question, Kellie. That issue has been raised often in recent weeks. Many of my Department's forests suffered significant damage as a result of the storm, and its impacts were widespread across the estate. The forests that have been particularly affected include Drum Manor, Gosford, Tardree, Mount Stewart, Ballysallagh, Tollymore, Castlewellan, Lough Navar, Favour Royal, Mullaghfad and Kesh. <BR /> <BR />Forest Service's assessment of the extent of woodlands damage is based on initial reports from local managers, neighbours and the general public, as well as drone footage and aerial surveillance that was undertaken in the week following the storm across the forest estate. The full extent of the damage to woodlands has still to be quantified and will require follow-up ground surveys, mapping and analysis of spatial data.”
“There are, however, many hurdles to overcome, including, most especially, the definition of what constitutes "the community". Good work is being undertaken by many bodies on the future of Lough Neagh, such as the Lough Neagh Partnership, the National Trust, Development Trusts NI, Queen's University and more. I welcome that, and we will continue to engage as necessary. <BR /> <BR />There is lots to do in order to improve water quality in Lough Neagh and elsewhere, and that is my primary focus. Collaboration and collective action in addressing the environmental challenges that face the lough is essential. Only by working together can we achieve the changes that are desperately needed.”
“I had constructive meetings with the Earl of Shaftesbury on 21 February and 17 July last year, when we discussed a range of issues in connection with Lough Neagh, including ownership and the earl's recent comments that he would like to transfer his estate's ownership of Lough Neagh into community ownership. While the scope of my officials' current work and the Lough Neagh action plan is essentially on what goes into the lough, I have made it clear that I am personally in favour of community ownership of the lough. <BR /> <BR />The confirmation from the Earl of Shaftesbury, when we met last year, that, if the right model with a robust structure, stakeholders and plan were in place along with the right funding model, there would be no associated cost to transferring the ownership of the lough bed and soils was welcome.”
“<BR /> <BR />In conclusion, I stress that there are no quick fixes. The situation was decades in the making and will be decades in the fixing, such is the depth and complexity of the problem at Lough Neagh.”
“<BR /> <BR />After securing Executive agreement for the Lough Neagh report in July last year, my Department has been working to drive forward the implementation of the action plan, working in conjunction with other Departments, such as Infrastructure and Justice. The implementation of the plan requires significant investment. Unfortunately, as the draft Budget stands, I am underfunded by approximately £2 million for delivery in the next financial year. Despite that, the implementation of the plan is progressing. To date, 10 actions have been delivered, and 23 are progressing. The Lough Neagh report complements and supports the actions and targets in the environmental improvement plan, which is key to taking a strategic approach to the issues facing Lough Neagh in the context of the wider catchment area.”
“Thank you, Kate, for your question on a serious issue not just for me but for the people of Northern Ireland and, hopefully, for the people in the Gallery. <BR /> <BR />At the outset, it is important to state that, on the basis of the science and evidence that I have reviewed to date, it is, unfortunately, highly likely that we will see yet another reoccurrence of blue-green algae on Lough Neagh this year and in future years. The fact that the largest fresh-water lake in these islands has been allowed to get into that state ought to be a wake-up call for us all. It is a sad and stark example of the impact of climate change and a reminder of the need to get the balance right between growing the economy and safeguarding our environment. Lots of cruel and hard lessons are to be learned from Lough Neagh.”
“I am conscious of the vires of my Department and its responsibilities, but I get the issues that you raise. I will consider them. It is important that we learn lessons. Far too often in Northern Ireland, we do not learn lessons. We need to learn lessons. There are many examples of where we should learn lessons, with Lough Neagh being one of them. I will engage with the Economy Minister and write to you on that. If a meeting is required, I am happy to do that.”
“Thank you, Patsy, for your question. Whilst I recognise that the lead responsibility for that will sit with the Department for the Economy, I recognise your concerns, because broadband, particularly in rural areas, is vital so that people can do their jobs and conduct their business, whether that means being able to work from home or doing associated tasks. I get that. I will engage with the Economy Minister off the back of the concerns that you have raised to see how we will learn lessons about provision from the storm response. I am conscious that such storms are now becoming a bit more frequent.”
“I am minded to withdraw from SORPI, and I have agreed an eight-week period of engagement with the Department for Infrastructure and Northern Ireland Water to inform my final decision on the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's withdrawal from SORPI and the next steps. I expect that engagement to be initiated by my Department shortly.”
“I am working to fulfil my Department's statutory obligations under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007. That will include the publication of the outstanding 2019 and 2023 reviews of sensitive areas and, subject to Executive approval, the identification of the inner Belfast lough shellfish water protected area as a sensitive area. The proposed sensitive area designation will mean additional requirements in respect of the treatment of waste water discharges to the shellfish water protected area. DAERA officials are liaising with their counterparts in the Department for Infrastructure to discuss the implications of that identification for DFI and Northern Ireland Water. I am acutely aware of the need to progress that. <BR /> <BR />I am also on the record about my position on SORPI.”
“A recent review of the third cycle river basin management plan for 2021-27 has been completed, and, subject to Executive approval, I hope to publish the plan in the near future. My Department continues to deliver the soil nutrient health scheme, which provides farmers with soil analysis and training to improve nutrient management and water quality. In addition, the sustainable catchment programme continues to provide advisory farm visits and capital grant support to carry out works on water quality. I am committed to working in partnership across government, the public and private sectors and wider society to improve water quality in Northern Ireland but would stress that there are no quick fixes and that collective action is essential.”
“I am pleased to report that the implementation of the Lough Neagh report and action plan and the environmental improvement plan has been progressing since I received Executive approval for them last year. Those reports contain a comprehensive range of actions to secure longer-term improvements in water quality across Northern Ireland and tackle blue-green algae blooms. Actions being taken forward include a review of the nutrients action programme, as well as small business research initiatives on the sustainable utilisation of livestock slurry: that is the key initiative for the future of Lough Neagh. <BR /> <BR />Grant support for the water quality improvement projects has been provided to community groups through the environment fund.”
“I am aware of the challenges that relate to Northern Ireland Water being a statutory consultee in planning. We have put staff and new processes in place, but we need to do better. We are looking to recruit additional staff so that we can turn applications around more swiftly. I encourage people who are putting applications in to make sure that all the relevant information is there so that we do not have to reconsult. I know that we need to move on the issue. We want to progress many issues in my Department, and that is one of them.”
“The impact of high levels of nutrients specifically relates to water quality. That is why we are working with the industry on a way forward. I thank those who are working on some of the initiatives that were brought forward to manage poultry litter, but we need to do a lot more in that regard. That is why we will consult on the nutrients action programme in the spring.”
“I am concerned about the developing situation and met stakeholders this morning on the issue. The message that I want to send to the general public in Northern Ireland is twofold: one is the importance of biosecurity, and the other is about asking farmers to report any concerns very promptly to us so that my Department can respond. We continue to work with and support the industry on the situation, but it is one that, unfortunately, England has been enduring since the end of November. We are working at pace in the Department to respond in conjunction with the industry.”