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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“It has been an extensive debate, so I will be brief. In preparing for today, I looked back to the debate in 2021. One person who is not here but who was part of that debate, and who personified the ability to have respectful debate and to disagree agreeably, was Christopher Stalford. I remember Christopher today for his ability to debate the issue.”
“Does the Member accept that those comments were made in the context of a specific reference to the Bill, which is what we are considering? The Member will recognise the complexity of the issue, and we heard that in Mr Butler's contribution. We are scrutinising the Bill in question.”
“Thank you very much, Brian. There was a pilot scheme, and it is very important that we learn lessons from it. The plan is to launch the main scheme at the end of the year. It is important that we take learnings not just from the pilot but from the young farmers' payment to ensure that any intervention that we make moves the dial. The issue of succession does not affect just Northern Ireland; it is a wider issue. It is important that we support young people to get into farming. I met representatives from the Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster last week, and they are a key part of our engagement on that.”
“The matter was discussed at the North/South Ministerial Council plenary about a fortnight ago. My counterpart, Martin Heydon, was present and keen to engage on the issue. I also met him as part of a North/South Ministerial Council agriculture sectoral meeting on Friday, when we discussed it further. We will consider how we can engage more on a North/South basis, reflecting the all-Ireland nature of the equestrian industry; the history of the case; and the need to learn lessons and ensure that we take a joined-up approach. I am happy to write to you to give you an update on where we are on the issue. It is of real concern for many people, and you have shown immense leadership on it.”
“Thank you very much, Nuala. First, I commend you for your leadership on the issue, which has been of real concern for many people in Northern Ireland. The review report made for very hard reading. We all have a role to play in relation to safeguarding in the equestrian industry, and it is important that we take that seriously. <BR /> <BR />A number of issues raised in the report relate to DAERA. One of the recommendations is that DAERA should consider safeguarding information in licensing and renewal forms. I have asked officials to consider the report's recommendations and what role we can play, working with others. It is important that we all take the recommendations seriously and step up to ensure that lessons are learned and that those recommendations are implemented.”
“The Communities Minister and I supported the scheme for the initial year. The Communities Minister has approached me again to see if I will support it in future years. You are making a very good case for that, and I will come back to Gordon very soon.”
“First, I welcome the Member to the Chamber. The community infrastructure fund is a good initiative and supports urban and rural communities. My Department supported the initial phase, and we are considering the work thereafter. Many organisations have benefited from the fund, and we have to recognise that those facilities are key in rural areas.”
“In recent years, the Department has introduced a number of powers around that. I will write to you to set them out, because the detail is in my papers amongst a number of pages. There are powers for councils to use. I am disappointed that two district councils have decided not to sign the cooperation agreement between the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and district councils. I urge Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to sign it. I have not named them before, but I do so now because it is absolutely ridiculous that they have not signed an agreement to cooperate on tackling the issue.”
“That matter is being considered as part of the review of environmental offences that is being taken forward by the Department of Justice. I will say two things: first, the councils also have a responsibility for illegal dumping and fly-tipping, not just me; and, secondly, there is a need for people to come forward and give evidence on those crimes, because, often, they occur in rural areas, and we need to get information so that we can bring cases to court. I encourage everyone to heed that message and to come forward to give evidence.”
“I am conscious of what I inherited. An announcement on a wildlife intervention was made on the last day of the previous Assembly mandate. The matter proceeded to court, and the Department lost. It is important that we learn lessons from that for the way forward. That is why we undertook the consultation. I could have progressed an awful lot, but we lost two years of this mandate because one party decided that it did not want to go to work, so the legislation will fall to the next mandate. However, I am clear that wildlife intervention is an essential part of our approach to TB.”
“We are implementing an important, shared-island, regionalised research pilot that is based on three platforms: people, cattle and wildlife. In addition to that, we will go out shortly to consult on wildlife intervention options in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />A lot of actions have been taken. Had eradication been easy, the problem would have been resolved decades ago, but we are seeking to take action on the matter, and we will be guided by science and evidence.”
“The issue of TB remains a top priority not only for my Department but for me. I understand the real impact that it has on farmers and their mental health when there is a herd breakdown. That is why we have the blueprint and why we are implementing the actions arising from that. <BR /> <BR />It was clear, in setting that out last week at the Balmoral Show, that there is increased use of blood testing, and it is important that we continue to fund that. We will also have a procurement process for vet-led, on-farm biosecurity advice. We are also looking at and agreeing new criteria for alternative control herds. We are also considering introducing pre- and post-movement testing. We are also giving farmers more information on their herds and TB history.”
“I am conscious of our rural community and proud to be the Minister who is responsible for rural affairs. However, the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland do not consider the hunting of wild animals to be part of the rural way of life. It is cruelty to animals, and it is wrong.”
“I am conscious that the Bill's Second Stage has been tabled for next Tuesday. I will meet officials to discuss the Bill on Thursday, and I will outline my position in response to that as part of the Second Stage debate.”
“Until that is in writing, until it is part of that Budget — a multi-year settlement, so that we can give that certainty and allow the farming community to have that support — it is a real concern to me. We need to have that in place, and we also need capital funding so that we can support the farming community, particularly with the sustainable farming investment scheme. There have been lots of missed opportunities here as a result of not having an agreed multi-year Budget. The UK Government need to step up, but we also need to understand that the longer this goes on, the more of an impact it will have due to the uncertainty that it creates.”
“A multi-year Budget is absolutely critical for the farming community. When we had the Brexit referendum, an awful lot of promises were made. Guess what? They did not come true. Previously, we had seven-year budget settlements through the common agricultural policy. The Tory Government at the time said that it would all be fine, but what happened? In October 2024, the earmarking and ring-fencing of that money ended. I got the Executive's agreement for money to be earmarked and set aside for agriculture, agrienvironment, fisheries and rural development in the previous financial year and was told that it would be agreed in future years.”
“On the capital side, there is real concern at the likelihood that we will be unable to deliver the building of the two new College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) campuses, at Loughry and Greenmount, at the pace that I would wish to see them built. That is why I will continue to engage with the Finance Minister to ensure that we have a Budget that delivers for all communities in Northern Ireland, particularly the agriculture and rural communities.”
“Thank you, Robbie. The issue is of concern to me, because we do not have a settled Budget. Without a Budget being agreed in the next couple of weeks, a crisis will develop rapidly in Northern Ireland politics. It is important that the UK Government step up and fund Northern Ireland in line with its need but also that we work together to agree a Budget. The UK Government have a significant role to play in enabling us to put that Budget in place. It is important that they take their role seriously. <BR /> <BR />Departments having to operate without a budget is a real concern. My Department will struggle to be able to deliver on its statutory responsibilities. I am very conscious of the consequences of there being no agreed draft Budget, particularly when it comes to TB compensation.”
“What I will do is answer your actual question, rather than your TikTok question. I will set out what we are trying to do with planning. There are significant resource challenges. I have told you, on numerous occasions, the issues that there are with ammonia. In 2023, legal action was taken against my Department because it was acting unlawfully in that regard. In the absence of a Minister in post, the permanent secretary brought us to a lawful position. I am seeking to find a way forward on ammonia that not only meets the legal requirements but allows us to deal with practical issues that the farming community has. It is difficult, but I respect environmental law. Clearly, you do not.”
“There was an awful lot of rhetoric but not one specific question in there. Give me an example of what the issue is, and I will tell you what we are doing about it.”
“I also ask people, when there are fires, not to engage in wildfire tourism, because we then have a situation in which many people come to the area. It is very difficult for the agencies that are trying to fight wildfires to do so when people are on the mountains.”
“We will therefore continue to implement the action plan. If we get additional resources, we will look at what more we can do to move at a faster pace. As I said, we have also appointed international wildfire experts to deliver wildfire management plans. I am trying my best. It could be argued that a lot of the stuff that I am getting involved in is often the responsibility of another Department, but that is not what I am seeking to say. Instead, I am fronting up and trying to show leadership on what is a real issue. I know the concerns of local residents, particularly in the Mournes. Wildfires should not be occurring. People have been on the phone to me in tears, worried about their home, and that is not right. When good weather comes along, I say to anyone who intends going down there to light a fire to wise up. Do not do it.”
“We have put resources into tackling the fires, but it has to be a collective effort: the Fire and Rescue Service, the police and other bodies have a role to play.”
“I mentioned in my answers the strategic framework and the action plan, but we have to do this together, Colin. It has to be a collective effort. As the Member rightly says, it is rural arson, but, that being the case, why are people not coming forward with information so that we can get people into court? We need to change attitudes to the acceptability of such behaviour, because it is not acceptable. People could lose their lives, homes are at risk and people are living in fear. I have had significant engagement with people and have put a lot of effort into that. Earlier today, I had questions about planning performance. We have limited resources and are trying to balance those.”
“The Member is right: we should not normalise that behaviour. It is rural arson, and that is why I have been consistent in encouraging people who are aware of anyone who is deliberately lighting malicious fires to report that to the police or Crimestoppers. They are not only damaging our environment but putting lives and livelihoods at risk, and it is important that we bring people to justice for that. In the action plan, there is a review of enforcement. We already have legislation in place, and we need to look at sentencing. That is one of the measures that will be considered, but, most fundamentally, here and now, people need to come forward with information. It is really concerning to me, particularly the risk to life.”
“In the action plan, we set out a number of actions related to how we can better support our farming community. Farming with Nature is our key intervention in that regard. I note that the Bill that the Member proposed does not have any conditionality associated with the issues that he seeks to address, and the Committee will want to explore that to ensure that the Bill also drives forward those public goods.”
“<BR /> <BR />I would be delighted to accept the Member's invitation to come down to the area.”
“<BR /> <BR />As part of the implementation, DAERA recently appointed a consortium of international wildfire experts to deliver a range of wildfire mitigation and management work across Northern Ireland, including wildfire management and response plans in the Mournes. It is important that I thank the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service for its work in extremely challenging circumstances alongside many other agencies, including my officials, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and relevant organisations in the Mournes, particularly the Mourne Heritage Trust and the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team. <BR /> <BR />The most important action that we can all take is that, if we know anyone who is deliberately lighting malicious fires, to report that information to the police or Crimestoppers.”
“I have been really clear that the work to prevent wildfires in the Mournes and elsewhere has to be a collective endeavour. That is why I recently launched the wildfire action plan, which will run to 2030, as part of the strategic framework that we launched last year to tackle the increasing threat of wildfires. The action plan focuses on five main objectives: prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and enforcement. Those strategic objectives are supported by 35 areas of development as part of the action plan, which should ensure regional capability to better address wildfires in Northern Ireland.”
“There is likely to be a regrowth of vegetation in most places over the next year or two, but we will have to see whether species composition is adversely affected in relation to the expected condition of the site and whether intervention measures will be needed. Over that period, we will also be able to get an indication of whether any areas have been severely damaged and seed bank lost. In such areas, additional measures may be needed to ensure that the vegetation recovers.”
“It was absolutely devastating to witness the recent spate of wildfires across our landscapes, including the Mournes. Using satellite imagery, we can estimate the extent of the area in the Mournes that was impacted on by the wildfires. Initial estimates are that the fire to the north of Bloody Bridge extended to approximately 93 hectares; the fire to the south of Bloody Bridge extended to approximately 726 hectares; and the fire in the western Mournes extended to approximately 1,339 hectares. <BR /> <BR />We will have to wait for a period to see how badly the habitat itself has been impacted on.”
“A few weeks before it was due to come into place, the Committee expressed a position that it wanted to annul the regulations. I was conscious of the decision that the Committee took. I was also conscious of the fact that, in seeking to introduce it more widely than Strangford lough, we were seeking to address the concerns regarding displacement. I am trying to find a way forward that protects Strangford lough, respects the science and protects our environment. That is why I will seek your support on that. I am happy to meet the Committee in due course, as are officials, to discuss the matter further.”
“I am conscious of the pressures that our fishing industry faces. That is why I travelled to the Isle of Man to make representations on the specific issue that the Member outlined. The Secretary of State and I engaged on the pressures, particularly those regarding fuel and the migration policy that the UK Government are implementing. I will continue to explore what is possible within Northern Ireland's limited budget, but I recognise those issues, and there will be significant engagement. <BR /> <BR />On the issue at hand — the closed season for periwinkle harvesting — it is important that we respect the science and protect our environment. That is what I seek to do in a proportionate manner.”
“It is my intention to introduce a closed season for periwinkle harvesting for Strangford lough by the end of the mandate. I will seek the support of the Committee and, if necessary, the Chamber for that. It is important that we respect the designations that are placed on Strangford lough and that we protect important habitats, features and species. The AFBI report sets out clearly the recommendations in that regard, and it is important that we regulate the issue and introduce the closed season. I look forward to the support of my colleagues in that regard.”
“I have asked my officials to bring forward a statutory rule (SR) for a closed season for the gathering of periwinkles in Strangford lough based on the recommendations in that report. <BR /> <BR />My Department remains committed to meeting its environmental obligations and promoting the long-term sustainability of our fisheries and will take timely and proportionate action, where that is necessary, to protect marine resources.”
“Earlier this year, my Department made regulations to introduce a closed season for periwinkle harvesting between January and April each year in the Northern Ireland intertidal area. There was significant support for that in a public consultation in 2022. It was disappointing that the regulations had to be subsequently revoked after the AERA Committee voted in opposition to them a few weeks before they would have come into operation. <BR /> <BR />Strangford lough holds designations as a special area of conservation and a marine conservation zone. An Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) report on periwinkles in Strangford lough was published in 2022. It recommended a closed season from January to April to protect spawning stocks of periwinkles in Strangford lough.”
“My concerns about that have been consistent. Northern Ireland Water has reported that more than 20 million tons of untreated sewage and waste water spill into waterways every year, with storm overflows discharging over 24,500 times annually. I will seek support at the Executive meeting next Thursday to end the arrangement known as "SORPI" and for a special designation to be made for Belfast lough. We also need to have a mature conversation about investment in waste water infrastructure, because that must occur not only to stop the damage to our environment but to address the constraints on housebuilding and economic development.”
“That makes the case yet again for why the institutions need to be reformed, and it is something that, I know, we are on the same page on.”
“I hope that people will support that just transition for our farming community. <BR /> <BR />It is not just about agriculture. It is important that we respect the science but also take a holistic approach. There is also a climate change issue. You know that the issues associated with Lough Neagh are not unconnected with the rise in temperatures, and that is why I seek the Chamber's support for the climate action plan for Northern Ireland. I will also seek the Executive's support for a fisheries and water environment Bill, and, alongside that, there is a long-standing commitment in 'New Decade, New Approach' for an independent environmental protection agency, but one of my partners in government has decided to block it.”
“Thank you, Matthew. I understand people's concern about the situation, because the communities that live around the lough are the most affected and we get 40% of our drinking water from Lough Neagh. Therefore, it is imperative that we address the issue. It means making difficult decisions. There are issues with regard to pollution, and I have set out what we seek to do about waste water pollution. We also need to have mature conversations about investment in Northern Ireland Water, and it is important that we do that. Alongside that, we consulted on the nutrients action programme (NAP) last year, and a stakeholder task and finish group has been set up to consider the outcomes of the consultation and any other proposals that people may have. I hope that that group will finish its work shortly, and we will do a further consultation on that.”
“It is important that my Department delivers its respective statutory duties under the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 and the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007. I am seeking to bring in stronger regulations and enforcement for sewage pollution. It is important that we do that, because it has an impact not only on Lough Neagh but also on other waterbodies, such as Belfast lough. That is what I seek to do. Everything I do in life is about being fair, and that is why it is important that we have equity in the regulation and enforcement in relation to pollution. We all know there is a water pollution problem; it is set out in the NEW Harmonica report, which is in the Assembly Library. It is important that we take action on it.”
“Among those interventions is my proposal for the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to withdraw from the 2007 statement of regulatory principles and intent — otherwise known as "SORPI" — arrangement with Northern Ireland Water, and I am seeking support for that from my Executive colleagues. I seek agreement for that proposal with the aim of ensuring a consistent and level regulatory playing field for all organisations and individuals whose activities may impact on the water environment.”
“In my oral statement on waste water regulation and enforcement that I delivered on 3 March this year, I set out my key interventions to strengthen the regulation and enforcement of waste water activities and to reduce pollution across our water environment.”
“<BR /> <BR />There is a serious issue with sewage pollution in Northern Ireland. There is a need to tackle that and invest in the infrastructure that goes alongside it. We have to do that. I am on the record as consistently saying that. I am looking for support from my Executive colleagues to end the special dispensation that has wrongly been given to Northern Ireland Water through SORPI. I have also been clear that we need to give special designation to Belfast lough. A review of discharge consents must occur. We need to have stronger regulation and enforcement around waste water pollution in Northern Ireland. I am seeking to have that, and, in order to implement it, I am looking for the support of others.”
“I will respond to a number of the points that you raised. On 3 March, I set out in the Chamber the work that we are doing to tighten waste water regulation and enforcement. For those who are not aware of that, they can look back at Hansard and see what I said in that regard. <BR /> <BR />There is no skewing of data. It is important that we respect the science and the evidence. I am very clear that waste water has an impact through pollution of our waterways and Lough Neagh, in particular, which is what the question is concerned with. I am very clear that there are a number of actions that we must take. One of those is to review the consenting methodologies and the standards in discharge consents. When I made that oral ministerial statement, I indicated the potential outcome.”
“My Department will continue targeted investigations to identify sources at failing sites and work with stakeholders to implement measures to improve water quality.”
“In addition, a material-flow analysis for the Neagh-Bann catchment, completed under the EU-funded NEW Harmonica project, applied source-load apportionment modelling to estimate nitrogen and phosphorus flows for the 2021 reference year, and a copy of that is in the Assembly Library. <BR /> <BR />As set out in the Lough Neagh action plan, work is under way to develop an integrated data platform with enhanced modelling capability. That will strengthen the evidence base; improve understanding across spatial and temporal scales; and provide more detailed insights into nutrient inputs to inform policy and decision-making. My Department regulates sewage discharges through discharge consents, under the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, requiring treatment levels that protect receiving waters.”
“The Lough Neagh catchment comprises the upper Bann, Moyola, Ballinderry, Sixmilewater, Braid and Maine, Blackwater and Lough Neagh local management areas. Northern Ireland Water has commissioned integrated environmental modelling to assess the impacts of its assets on river bodies and to support future investigations of pressures on Lough Neagh. The modelling will evaluate the relative contributions of nutrients from waste water, agriculture and other sources. Baseline results are now available for Maine, Ballinderry, Moyola and Blackwater. Those are being considered by my Department, and I have asked for a copy.”
“I agree that it is a really valuable green space in an urban area. I have been there on a number of occasions as Minister and when taking part in the parkrun. I am grateful for the work that the trust does to maintain it. There are opportunities for the trust to make applications to the Department through the environment fund. We will be happy to consider those. We are keen to see the ongoing sustainability of the organisation and will continue to engage with it. Such spaces are really valuable, and I appreciate the work that they do. My Department will continue to engage with the trust to ensure that it has a strong and successful future.”
“A range of projects have been supported through the rural business investment scheme, the rural tourism scheme, and the forest park enhancement and community trails development scheme.”