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 is important that we deliver for all communities in Northern Ireland, particularly rural communities that benefit from the services that we deliver.”
“We need financial support not just for that but for other issues that are affecting our budget around that. <BR /> <BR />The position on the draft Budget that was consulted on is very significant for my Department. There is a very grim financial outlook for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. It is no secret that we are carrying more than 800 vacancies. I asked for compensation for bovine TB to be prioritised at monitoring rounds. That is not in the current documentation. In relation to capital support, I need support for the sustainable farm investment scheme. I also need support for new campuses at Loughry and Greenmount, and I will continue to engage with the Finance Minister on that.”
“Thank you, John. The concern from many Members in the House is around when the remediation of the site will occur and how it will be funded. We are working on finalising that strategy, and I will engage with local elected representatives on that. <BR /> <BR />The other issue relates to funding for that. I have already set out the process that we are going to follow, but I have been on the record previously stating that the costs associated with remediation could be between £107 million and £700 million. Those are significant costs. That is why it is important that the UK Government realise that the cost of that to the Northern Ireland budget is a very difficult amount for us to bear. That is why I continue to support the Finance Minister in his engagement with the UK Government in regard to the issue.”
“NI Water monitors the water that is abstracted from the River Faughan, the water at various stages of treatment and the final water that is supplied from the Carmoney water treatment works. <BR /> <BR />Monitoring data is shared and interpreted by the NIEA and NI Water. The monitoring data is used by my Department and NI Water to continually assess any changes in risk to water quality in the River Faughan and the quality at the water abstraction point. Water quality reports are regularly published on the DAERA website, and, to date, there has been no adverse impact on the safety of drinking water being supplied from the River Faughan. It is important that I set out the action that we are taking. That has to be of paramount importance, and it is.”
“I assure the Member that safeguarding public health and ensuring that we have safe drinking water is paramount. That has to be the first thing that we consider in regard to the issue. My Department is committed to protecting the water quality of the River Faughan. We are working in partnership with NI Water to safeguard drinking water in the north-west. <BR /> <BR />My officials have put in place a comprehensive environmental monitoring programme at the Mobuoy site, which includes site and riverbank inspections; detailed monitoring, using international quality standards; and the use of on-site groundwater and surface water monitoring, together with daily laboratory testing of water quality at the Northern Ireland Water drinking water abstraction point.”
“<BR /> <BR />I remind Members that the Mobuoy site is one of the reasons why I have been seeking agreement on an independent environmental protection agency for Northern Ireland. I am absolutely gutted that that has been blocked by the DUP. Mobuoy is a clear example of why we need stronger environmental protections in Northern Ireland.”
“I share in the Member's concern and the collective desire to see the remediation of the site. To date, my Department does not have a cost estimate that has been assessed and approved through the required public finance processes, such as an approved business case, in order to inform a financial bid. There are several reasons for that. There is no agreed preferred option, and there will not be until an updated draft strategy, further to the consultation, is adopted, a cost estimate is completed and decisions taken on next steps. A range of approval processes must also be carried out to ensure that any remediation proposals are technically sound, cost-effective and affordable. Those processes can only move forward once the final draft remediation strategy is complete. I look forward to that discussion with the Member on the matter.”
“That work is being progressed to ensure that the strategy is robust, and it will provide the necessary basis for considering the overall financial requirements for the remediation of the site. Consideration will then need to be given to the next steps and realistic timescales in line with the Department’s responsibility to protect water quality. <BR /> <BR />I plan to meet the Member, other Foyle MLAs, the local MPs, the Mayor and the chief executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council, along with NI Water and DFI officials, in May, and that will be an important opportunity for a discussion on the way forward. It is vital that the environmental monitoring programme continues to be delivered, and I am committed to ensuring that it remains in place until a long-term solution is delivered.”
“I am committed to ensuring that appropriate steps are taken to protect water quality and the environment, and to that end I have moved as quickly as possible to complete the public consultation on the draft remediation strategy for the Mobuoy site. The summary report on consultation responses was published on 12 March 2026, and, taking account of responses on what the revised strategy should be, it should be with me later this month. <BR /> <BR />Overall, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's (NIEA) review and assessment of responses have not indicated any need for fundamental changes to the proposed integrated remediation techniques. However, there are areas in which further clarification and refinement will strengthen the strategy.”
“All testing at AFBI has been dual accredited by relevant laboratory accreditation bodies for the provision of accurate testing and results. Those bodies are the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB). Therefore, test protocols are subject to audit and inspection by independent award bodies. Any risks to test accuracy are highlighted by the accreditation bodies. The likelihood of false positive results is also safeguarded by the confirmation of results by the UK and EU reference laboratories. Officials assessed that current and historical test results from AFBI can be relied on.”
“As the Member is aware, every incident is considered individually and investigated fully. It is important, if Members are aware of any incidents, that they report them promptly, so that veterinary service or the Northern Ireland Environment Agency can investigate them fully. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on any specific incident, but it is important that such issues are reported so that a prompt investigation can take place.”
“I consider the issues that I set out in the oral statement to be of the utmost importance. It is important that there is scrutiny of the actions that I take, and I am here to answer questions from Members on that. I have set out that I encourage officials from the Department and AFBI to be willing and able to attend the Committee for that scrutiny, if the Committee wishes. We will continue with full transparency on the actions that we are taking. It is important that we do that.”
“The HSE report was provided to the Department for advisory purposes under the provisions of a memorandum of understanding that is in place to ensure that the Department has the appropriate independent advice on the storing silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil (SSAFO) regulations in Northern Ireland. Requests to publish all or part of the HSE GB report on AFBI will be considered under existing arrangements for handling data access in relation to sensitive information. The default is full transparency, and we are working on its publication.”
“I have received assurances from AFBI that the cause has been fully investigated so that there is minimal risk of reoccurrence. The draft report has come back from the AFBI subcommittee that looked at the issues associated with the farm at Hillsborough, and it is important that the recommendations are implemented.”
“I will answer that question in two parts. <BR /> <BR />If anyone in the House is aware of any issues with water pollution or environmental offences, it is important that they report them promptly so that they can be investigated. <BR /> <BR />I am aware that a water pollution incident involving a spillage of milk occurred at AFBI Hillsborough on 2 April of this year. I am extremely disappointed that that happened. Officials from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) attended the site immediately after receiving the report, which was made by AFBI management. Following investigation, the incident was recorded as being of low severity, having only a minor visual impact on Hillsborough park lake. Investigations by the NIEA and DAERA inland fisheries indicated that there was no impact on the fish population of the lake.”
“I am aware of the issues that you have outlined. I believe in transparency, which is why I am here today. I also believe in action, which is why we are taking forward the actions that I have outlined. There will be regular updates to the Committee on the actions that we are taking, and I have confidence that the chair and the board, in conjunction with our officials, will be able to take the appropriate course so that we can have confidence in AFBI in the time ahead.”
“As part of its overall communications strategy, AFBI is refreshing its stakeholder engagement plans. The board is keen that concerns raised by the agri-food community be recognised. AFBI considers it important to establish a broad stakeholder group that can support understanding of the outcomes of AFBI's science programme and provide a key platform for the views of AFBI's wide and varied stakeholder community to be heard. AFBI has advised that a farmers' forum will be a key focus in the refreshed stakeholder plan.”
“Thank you, Nuala. That is an important question. There is a role for the Committee in scrutinising the issue. No doubt it will want to engage with DAERA officials and AFBI in the short time ahead. It is important that we publish the review and our departmental response in the short time ahead. We will also provide everyone with updates on our actions at least quarterly so that we can be clear on the actions that we are taking in response to the recommendations.”
“Thank you. I again thank AFBI for its work. I give this clarification: there is no intention to bring AFBI in-house in the long term. The measures that I have outlined today are intended to be short-term, so that we can work together to deliver the actions required and to standardise the sponsorship arrangement for AFBI as an ALB in the months ahead. We will continue to engage and to monitor progress. We will do that transparently, and we will seek to normalise arrangements as soon as possible.”
“Thank you. The AFBI review was undertaken, and the report came back. We have taken time to consider the report and our response to it. As part of that response, there will be that organisational action plan whereby we will work together to implement the recommendations arising from the report and to drive organisational improvement. Doing that together is key, and we will ensure that by having a senior official lead on it and through the partnership board between AFBI and DAERA .”
“Thank you, John. I and my officials keep in regular contact with the AFBI board, particularly through its chair, for whom I have the greatest respect. She has been proactive in responding to the concerns raised on the data breach, on the farm issues at Hillsborough and now on the HSE report. I am grateful for her leadership and for the support that she is receiving from her board. I met the AFBI chair and board most recently yesterday, and I have full confidence in them. I will continue to engage with them.”
“Mitigations are also in place to protect staff, contractors and visitors to the site.”
“<BR /> <BR />Staff safety is always a primary concern. The chief executive of AFBI has provided assurances to me and said:”
“Thank you, Tom. There was no existential risk to public, animal or staff safety, however matters need to be addressed to ensure that confidence can continue in the future. AFBI processes a number of pathogens that are known to present risks. Where appropriate working conditions are applied, along with personal protective equipment, those risks are minimal, if not very low. A finding of the report was that no vector/midge protective measures are present in AFBI and that higher-risk diagnostic work was progressing in an open laboratory at containment level 2 (CL2) where the guidance required containment level 3 (CL3) facilities. Fortunately, at the time of inspection and since the time of incursion of bluetongue, Northern Ireland has been in a vector low period. Therefore, the risk of onward transmission from AFBI facilities is negligible.”
“The Department has put in place contingency measures to ensure that samples can be taken for diagnostic submission to facilities that can satisfy containment requirements.”
“Fortunately, at the time of the inspection and since the time of the incursion of bluetongue, Northern Ireland has been in a vector low period. Therefore, the risk of onward transmission from AFBI facilities is negligible. <BR /> <BR />With the upcoming start of the vector active period, to address the recommendations of the HSE report for bluetongue, a triage protocol is being finalised by AFBI to ensure that diseased material from animals suspected to have the bluetongue virus is not accepted at AFBI for post-mortem, and diagnostic swabs and blood samples are accepted only where the necessary containment facilities are in place. That will be fully communicated to AFBI stakeholders. A further recommendation was that protocols in operation at the time of the inspection on testing for aviation influenza should stop.”
“Thank you, Linda. The HSE GB inspection was undertaken, and the report outlined that there were weaknesses in administrative and governance arrangements, including systems for oversight and assurance; deficiencies in procedures and controls required to ensure effective biocontainment; and concerns relating to infrastructure and facility condition, particularly where higher containment standards are required. On biosafety, evidence was lacking to ensure that facilities were fit for purpose and safe to use. There were gaps in organisational capability to consistently demonstrate compliance with required biosafety standards. At the time of inspection, the testing procedures for the bluetongue virus were found to be unsafe, with measures required to protect the environment.”
“It is important that, as Minister, I show leadership. That is why I came to the House today to outline the actions that are being taken. It is important that the organisational action plan and the recommendations from the HSE GB report are implemented at pace. I believe in transparency around this, and that is the default on this. As a Committee, you will have a role to play in following up on today's statement, and I reassure you that officials from my Department and from AFBI are keen to engage with you on this issue.”
“Thank you, Patsy. A number of action plans are being implemented. The most immediate one is in relation to the laboratories, in response to the HSE GB report. It is important that the recommendations from that report are implemented at pace. Separate to that, there is an overall organisational action plan that we developed in conjunction with AFBI. It is a collective endeavour to ensure that those organisational improvements occur. <BR /> <BR />There are also the recommendations from the AFBI board's subgroup on the farm at Hillsborough. It is important that those are taken forward. Recommendations have also come back on the data breach, and it is important that those are implemented. <BR /> <BR />There are lots of actions, and my Department will work with AFBI to ensure that they are delivered.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Chief Veterinary Officer has already requested that the Health and Safety Executive Great Britain engage with AFBI and my officials on the action plan, in response to the HSE GB inspection. It will carry out a follow-up inspection within the next two months. At that stage, I fully expect to see the required improvements in place and operating effectively, supported by clear evidence and assurance. <BR /> <BR />I am confident that, through the actions that I have set out, we can ensure that AFBI delivers the high-quality services that our farmers, industry and the public rightly expect. Thank you.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have assigned responsibility for overseeing necessary changes to my Department's stewardship of AFBI, including its organisational action plan, to my deputy secretary for strategic planning and corporate services. In her role as principal accounting officer, my permanent secretary will establish a senior partnership and governance board immediately, to provide both of us with assurance that AFBI is delivering its services safely and effectively. The board will meet before the end of this month, assess the evidence provided by AFBI and report back without delay. It will then meet quarterly or more frequently if required. AFBI must provide evidence of the actions taken, the controls in place for biosafety, laboratory working practices and the timescales for completion of any outstanding measures.”
“DAERA officials will work with AFBI to support the development and monitoring of the overall organisational action plan that I have mentioned. In parallel, my officials will apply stronger stewardship and governance to hold AFBI to account for delivery against agreed actions, milestones and evidence requirements. I have asked to receive updates on at least a quarterly basis. That increased oversight and scrutiny of AFBI is with immediate effect and it will remain in place until I am reassured, on the basis of evidence, that AFBI's processes are safe, effective and fully compliant. I expect my officials in DAERA and colleagues in AFBI to work in genuine partnership to bring about the changes that are required to address the issue and at the speed required.”
“As an executive, non-departmental public body of DAERA, AFBI is responsible for putting those matters right, in full and at pace. I have therefore asked the board to develop an overall organisational action plan. At the same time, DAERA has a duty to ensure that governance, sponsorship and assurance arrangements are effective. For the weeks and months ahead, urgent, sustained and verifiable action is required. Support will be provided, but that must be matched by strong oversight and clear accountability for delivery. <BR /> <BR />In response, and as part of a wider reset of sponsorship and governance arrangements through the AFBI review, I am putting in place increased departmental oversight of AFBI, with immediate effect.”
“Thirdly, in light of concerns that were previously raised about animal welfare and environmental practices at the AFBI farm, I have asked the board to provide rigorous oversight and clear assurance that farm operations meet the highest standards and that any learning will be embedded. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that the AFBI board has shown that it can respond decisively to serious issues, including the data breach incident that took place last year and the issues raised at the Hillsborough farm. I now need the same level of grip, pace and transparency to be applied to biosafety, to working practices and to assurance and laboratory operations. The board is accountable to me when it comes to ensuring that the necessary actions are implemented without delay, and it must provide assurances that appropriate actions are being actively monitored.”
“<BR /> <BR />I continue to engage with the chair of the AFBI board and have set three immediate challenges that must be addressed. First, I have directed that the AFBI board's top priority in the months ahead must be to address the findings of the HSE report and demonstrate through evidence that testing is consistently carried out safely, effectively and in full compliance with required standards and that governance throughout the organisation is robust. Secondly, in partnership with my Department, the board needs to articulate a clearer strategic direction for the organisation, ensuring that effort and investment are aligned with the highest priorities and deliver the strongest impact for our community, environment and economy.”
“Following the recent HSE inspection findings, I have been assured by the AFBI chair that the AFBI chief executive and his team have begun immediate work to identify the issues. AFBI has developed an action plan in response to the HSE in Great Britain inspection, with named ownership and timescales. My officials, supported by HSE colleagues, are engaging directly with AFBI's senior leadership to support rapid delivery and secure the required assurances. I am reassured by the fact that the AFBI board has also set up a dedicated board subgroup, which has reviewed the operation of the farm at Hillsborough and made recommendations for further improvement. Implementation of the resulting action plan for farm operations will be monitored by the board.”
“I have taken time to consider my Department's response to the review, including, most recently, by taking account of the wider context, which I have outlined in my statement. We will shortly publish the review report and my departmental response. <BR /> <BR />I agree that Departments and their arm's-length bodies (ALBs) should work together effectively in partnership, with clear accountability, strong governance and a shared focus on outcomes. The review of AFBI provides an opportunity to reset arrangements, but, alongside the report's recommendations, the issues now arising require action that is urgent and sustained. I am pleased to report that the AFBI board has responded positively and proactively to the review and to the other issues that have arisen since the review was finalised.”
“<BR /> <BR />As is routinely required for all non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), AFBI has been subject to a review that my Department commissioned. The review team reported to us in February of last year. Although the review found that AFBI's strategic direction is aligned with the priorities of the Executive and my Department and that AFBI is considered to be discharging its primary functions in an effective and efficient manner, it makes several important recommendations, including the need to strengthen partnership working between AFBI and my Department; the need for there to be a stronger focus on strategic priorities; and, importantly, the need for AFBI to improve how it demonstrates impact and drives effectiveness.”
“Members will also be aware of some allegations about practices, including animal welfare and environmental practices, at the AFBI farm at Hillsborough. Some are historical in nature, while others are more recent. I assure the House that every one of those allegations, including, most recently, an incident of low-severity pollution of a watercourse, was followed up on by my Department and the AFBI board. The work of the AFBI farm is of significant research importance, and the farm operations also need to be conducted in a way that does not merely meet required animal welfare and environmental standards. Rather, my expectation is that AFBI should be leading by example in how it manages its farm operations.”
“My priority is to ensure that standards are consistently high and that the necessary assurances are clear, evidenced and sustained. The purpose of the actions that are now under way is to strengthen those arrangements and to provide confidence that requirements are being met consistently.”
“That includes accreditation to the internationally recognised standard ISO 17025 in respect of statutory animal health and food safety testing. There is no evidence of any breach or existential risk to public health or animal health, and immediate mitigations are in place to ensure that essential diagnostic and surveillance services continue safely. However, the report makes clear that significant improvements are needed. Those improvements are being implemented as part of an action plan agreed between AFBI and DAERA officials in response to the HSE GB report. <BR /> <BR />AFBI's laboratory work supports animal health, public health and our wider emergency disease response capability. Where laboratories handle regulated pathogens, strong controls and clear assurance are essential.”
“I will set out for Members what those issues are and explain what I and my Department, supported by the AFBI board, are doing to address them. <BR /> <BR />I will start by updating Members on a recent inspection report received from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in Great Britain as part of the licensing processes relating to laboratory activity and working with specified animal pathogens in AFBI. The report, which was shared with AFBI, identifies areas where biosafety, laboratory working practices and associated assurance arrangements need to be strengthened. <BR /> <BR />I reassure the public that AFBI continues to deliver vital diagnostic and surveillance services and that there is robust regulatory oversight in place.”
“<BR /> <BR />AFBI's capability to respond to emergencies quickly, safely and effectively is a critical part of our overall resilience. Farmers, the food industry, our partners and the wider public should be able to place the highest confidence in AFBI's work and the controls that sit around it. I place on record my appreciation for the professionalism of AFBI staff and the importance of the services that they provide. <BR /> <BR />Separately, I am equally clear that biosafety, good laboratory working practices, sound governance and robust assurance go hand in hand and are non-negotiable. However, recent issues have emerged that mean that I need stronger and clearer assurance that standards are being applied consistently across AFBI.”
“<BR /> <BR />We operate at a time when, worryingly, it is becoming increasingly common to attack science and evidence, particularly when it presents unwelcome or inconvenient truths. In that context, it is even more important that we all have confidence in AFBI's work. That confidence is equally essential for the delivery of statutory scientific services, including laboratory testing and surveillance for animal pathogens, and for the wider scientific support that protects public health and maintains market confidence. In that regard, I am reassured by the fact that AFBI research underpinning policy development in my Department is subject to the extensive use of rigorous external peer review mechanisms and operates in accordance with the requirements of ISO 9001, which is a quality management system.”
“With your permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, I will update Members on AFBI, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute. <BR /> <BR />As Members will be aware, AFBI plays a key role in protecting animal health and public health, safeguarding our agri-food economy and providing diagnostic, scientific and emergency response capability when we face disease or other incidents. That role is vital, and it must be delivered to the highest standards. Members have often heard me speak about the challenges facing our environment and agriculture, including those associated with climate change, and the need for us to develop and implement effective policies in response. Those polices must be grounded in sound evidence, and AFBI plays a crucial role in providing the highest quality scientific and research advice and evidence to inform them.”
“Northern Ireland needs a clear, credible, collective and legally compliant path to net zero. The Climate Change Act requires it, and the climate action plan provides it. I am committed to delivering it in a fair, evidence-based and practical way. For those reasons, I cannot support the motion; instead, I will continue to work across government and with our farmers, businesses and communities to build a more resilient, competitive and sustainable Northern Ireland, one that protects the interests of this generation and, importantly, the next.”
“That is why the principle of a just transition is central to all of this. I am committed to establishing the just transition commission within this mandate to ensure fairness and to support rural communities, workers and businesses through change. The commission will include representation from agriculture, rural stakeholders, industry, academia and civic society. We should be clear about the alternative. Weakening our climate targets or halting climate planning would create uncertainty and leave society, business and our economy regionally and globally isolated. With over three quarters of global GDP now covered by net zero commitments, we cannot afford to be left behind. <BR /> <BR />The motion misdiagnoses the problem and proposes actions that are not consistent with our legislation and are economically unwise.”
“We are not proposing to follow the Climate Change Committee's recommended livestock reductions; instead, our focus is on practical measures that help farmers cut emissions while protecting productivity. Schemes within our sustainable agriculture programme, including the beef sustainability package, the Farming with Nature package and the carbon footprinting project, aim to support farmers to do that. <BR /> <BR />For households, climate action delivers clear, practical benefits: more energy-efficient homes; lower energy bills; warmer homes and better living conditions; cleaner air; and greater energy security. That is why climate action is not an additional cost; it is an investment in our society and a shield against future economic shocks. <BR /> <BR />To succeed, the transition must be fair.”
“I fully recognise the real pressures faced by both. Farmers already experience the consequences of climate change at first hand through intense rainfall, soil degradation, disease pressures and increased market volatility. Climate action is not optional for the agriculture sector; it is central to protecting farm incomes, strengthening resilience and securing the future of the sector. <BR /> <BR />Public investment in agriculture carries an expectation of environmental delivery, and that is being delivered in spades. Supporting farmers to take practical, proportionate action in climate and nature is essential to maintaining confidence in farm support, demonstrating value for public money and safeguarding that support into the future.”
“It will also support matters, because the motion claims that climate policies place:”