Edwin Poots
South Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I call Mr Eóin Tennyson. Again, this is Mr Tennyson's first opportunity to speak as a private Member, so I remind the House that it is convention that a maiden speech be made without interruption. However, if you choose to express views that provoke an interruption, you are likely to forfeit that protection.”
“Sorry — Ms Armstrong. My apologies. <BR /> <BR />That the Assembly could, in some way, get that money out when it is a UK Government responsibility. The UK Government have distributed it directly in Scotland and Wales, not through the Welsh Parliament and not through the Scottish Parliament.”
“I have not got time; I am sorry. <BR /> <BR />Ursula von der Leyen, who was in the Republic last week, made some of the most ridiculous claims about the British Government, who have supported Ukraine in a way that no other Government in Europe have and who have never engaged in the activity that was suggested by Ursula von der Leyen.”
“Today, a lot of statements have been made but there has not been a lot of fact behind a lot of what has been said. We have Michelle O'Neill, who walked out of her role as Health Minister — not for six months but for three years — and abandoned her position when we had Bengoa and there were all the problems with nursing that led to the str…”
“I need to deal with the issues first. <BR /> <BR />He referred to the Budget that he produced. No party supported that Budget. The Alliance Party did not support it, because it did not cover policing and prisons. Infrastructure did not support it, because it would not allow it to do the basics of what had to be done.”
“We had a circumstance where Sinn Féin repeated, month after month after month, that there were hundreds of millions to give to the public when that did not exist and when, in reality, Minister Murphy was racking up debt that will roll into next year, which will ensure that that will be a difficult financial year.”
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“It is hoped that input from stakeholder focus groups will help my Department to take a balanced and sustainable approach in developing future biodiversity and climate change policies for the marine environment. <BR /> <BR />My high-level vision for the Northern Ireland blue-carbon action plan is to protect our blue-carbon habitats and, where possible, take steps towards their restoration. An important component of the blue-carbon action plan will be the creation of an accurate baseline inventory of all blue-carbon habitats in Northern Ireland. Further studies will be required to quantify the total carbon storage in our blue-carbon habitats and to better understand their carbon sequestration rates and how the condition of the habitats affects those rates. There will be opportunities to build on those projects.”
“In response to the increasing recognition of the role that marine protected areas can play in supporting adaptation and resilience to climate change, I also announce a review of the marine protected area strategy for Northern Ireland and the development of a new strategy that will enable us to respond to the challenges that we face in dealing with biodiversity loss and climate change. <BR /> <BR />It will be critical to take a co-design approach to develop the blue-carbon action plan and the new marine protected areas strategy. To facilitate that, my Department will establish focus groups comprised of representatives from the fishing industry, the renewable energy sector and environmental NGOs.”
“<BR /> <BR />Recognising the importance of protecting and enhancing our blue-carbon habitats, the development of a blue-carbon action plan for Northern Ireland will be a target in the environment strategy.”
“I was very pleased to learn about the collaboration between Ulster Wildlife and the Northern Ireland Fishermen's Federation (NIFF), and they have already started to consider those issues. That open dialogue and collaboration demonstrates the spirit of partnership and respect that is needed to find innovative solutions that are consistent with the vision of the green growth strategy. I am very much looking forward to learning more about the outcome of their feasibility study for a multidisciplinary, collaborative marine hub to bring together Northern Ireland's marine stakeholders. The Northern Ireland Fishermen's Federation has demonstrated its commitment to that area by employing a sustainability officer. My Department has been able to support those projects through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.”
“That must include my Department, other Departments, research institutes, the fishing industry, the renewable energy sector, environmental NGOs and other interested stakeholders.”
“Work is being undertaken to account for those habitats, but evidence gaps are hindering their inclusion in the UK land use, land-use change and forestry inventory calculations. It will be important for the UK blue-carbon evidence partnership to work together to address those issues and enhance the evidence base surrounding the other diverse blue-carbon habitats that are found across the UK, particularly those beyond the IPCC's wetlands supplement. <BR /> <BR />There are significant challenges in responding to climate change and ensuring sustainable use of the marine environment. The development of innovative solutions to those challenges and the unlocking of opportunities will only be possible through collaboration and partnership.”
“<BR /> <BR />That is a rapidly developing policy area, and it is important that we collaborate effectively with other countries. You may be aware of the creation of a UK blue-carbon evidence partnership, which was announced at COP26. My officials will work with their counterparts in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and other UK Administrations, to address key research questions related to blue-carbon policy. <BR /> <BR />Blue-carbon habitats are not included in the UK greenhouse gas emissions inventory. Under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) wetlands supplement, the only UK coastal wetland habitats that are suitable for inclusion are tidal marshes and seagrass meadows.”
“The baseline survey will be used to map the extent of blue-carbon habitats, such as salt marshes, intertidal seagrass and shellfish beds. The data from that will be beneficial for identifying the most suitable locations for investment to create or restore blue-carbon habitats. <BR /> <BR />A number of studies are being undertaken by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI). One of those studies will help to identify the impact of future climate change scenarios on the coastal habitats of Northern Ireland. Another is undertaking research to quantify the stocks and flows of blue carbon in Northern Ireland, including offshore sediment, and will provide evidence and a better understanding of its role as a carbon sink.”
“However, a number of existing monitoring programmes that are being implemented to meet requirements of the water framework directive and habitats regulations, such as carbon and nitrogen sediment monitoring, salt-marsh monitoring and MPA condition monitoring surveys, have helped to provide useful evidence on Northern Ireland's blue-carbon habitats. My Department has already taken important steps to address the evidence gaps and initiated a number of relevant projects. Further projects are in the preparation stage. <BR /> <BR />Over £400,000 has been invested in a 3D coastal survey of the Northern Ireland coastline. That encompasses a topographic lidar of land within 200 metres of the coast and intertidal area and a bathymetric lidar of the coastal subtidal area.”
“Those projects lay the foundation for longer-term sequestration. The carbon sequestration capacity of a salt marsh is age-dependent, with created or restored marshes taking approximately 100 years to achieve the rates of carbon accumulation that are measured in natural marshes. Coastal vegetated habitats, including salt marshes and seagrass, with sedimentary conditions that favour organic carbon storage, may enhance the release of other potent greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide. Therefore, more research on the status of Northern Irish habitats is essential as the priority work develops. My Department has identified that as a research need and is seeking to commission a research project later this year. <BR /> <BR />In my Department, there are no specific blue-carbon monitoring programmes.”
“A native oyster nursery is being established in Bangor marina by Ulster Wildlife, and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is trialling the use of eco moorings in Strangford lough to provide protection for seagrass beds from yacht moorings. <BR /> <BR />I recently had the opportunity to visit Castle Espie and see the work of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) that has resulted in the creation of new salt marsh habitat. The site has been carefully and patiently managed for the past 12 years, and the outcome has not only enhanced carbon storage but produced wider nature and societal benefits, such as providing coastal defence, foraging and breeding grounds for wintering birds, and an important tourist facility that overlooks Strangford lough.”
“Examples of blue-carbon values from the report are that the estimated current Northern Ireland extent of salt marsh is 31·1km², while, for seagrass, it is 17·2km², and that the estimated carbon sequestration rate for Northern Ireland salt marsh is 8,273 tons of carbon a year, while, for Zostera marina seagrass, it is 3,571 tons of carbon a year. <BR /> <BR />Ulster Wildlife and its partners are continuing to refine the initial feasibility study and will soon make recommendations for restoration at specific local sites, including the potential for a native oyster restoration project in Strangford lough. Steps have already been taken to create and restore blue-carbon habitats.”
“That means that there is an existing way in which to protect those carbon sinks, which is through the implementation and enforcement of effective MPA management plans. Indeed, the legislation that is being introduced to manage fishing activities in the inshore marine protected area network will help provide protection for important blue-carbon habitats, such as seagrass beds in the Waterfoot marine conservation zone (MCZ) and the Skerries and Causeway special area of conversation (SAC), and the maerl habitat in the Red Bay and the Maidens SACs. <BR /> <BR />The feasibility study also identified areas that could be suitable for restoration or habitat creation. Blue-carbon habitats sequester more carbon per unit than forests.”
“The consultation on the UK joint fisheries statement is currently taking place and is open until 12 April. Full details can be found on the DEFRA website. <BR /> <BR />In Northern Ireland, work has already commenced on creating, protecting and restoring blue-carbon habitats. In 2021, my Department provided funding of £27,000 to Ulster Wildlife and its partners to undertake a desk-based feasibility study for blue-carbon-habitat restoration in Northern Ireland. The study looked at historical records and identified locations of coastal blue-carbon habitats, including seagrass meadows, kelp forests, salt marsh and shellfish beds. The study suggests that 56% of our blue-carbon habitats are located within the existing marine protected area (MPA) network.”
“<BR /> <BR />In an international context, the development of a blue-carbon action plan will contribute to achieving the targets for natural carbon stores in the recently agreed OSPAR north-east Atlantic environment strategy (NEAES). Further global targets could also emerge after the updated Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) targets are agreed and published later this year. <BR /> <BR />My officials have been working with other UK Administrations and through the British-Irish Council (BIC) to share learning on blue-carbon habitats. That knowledge transfer is proving very beneficial. In the UK, the value of climate-resilient ecosystems for healthy fish stocks and the value of blue-carbon habitats have been acknowledged in the draft joint fisheries statement (JFS).”
“The importance of blue-carbon habitats and their contribution to climate change adaptation and mitigation is now globally recognised. Our blue-carbon habitats therefore need to be protected, as, when they are degraded or damaged, their carbon-sink capacity is lost, and stored carbon is released. By acting now and developing a blue-carbon action plan, we can take steps to help protect and restore blue-carbon habitats in Northern Ireland's marine and coastal environment. As well as providing essential benefits for climate change adaptation and mitigation, blue-carbon habitats provide other high-value ecosystem services. Those include providing protection against coastal erosion and flooding, habitats to support wider biodiversity and nursery grounds for commercially important fish species, as well as societal well-being benefits.”
“Examples of blue-carbon habitats found in our waters include salt marshes, seagrass beds, shellfish beds, kelp, maerl and subtidal sediments.”
“When considering how to manage our land, action will be taken through programmes such as Forests for Our Future and the peatland strategy. Today, I will turn our attention to the marine and coastal environment. <BR /> <BR />The Northern Ireland marine area is 6,855 km² and represents approximately one third of our natural environment. The coast, and the seas around it, include highly productive and biologically diverse ecosystems. Our marine natural capital, and the ecosystem services that it provides, support tourism, recreation, aquaculture and fisheries. The blue economy is an important component of our Northern Ireland economy. Within our marine and coastal environment, we have special habitats that are important for carbon capture and storage; these are known as blue-carbon habitats.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to make a statement to the Assembly on the development of an action plan to protect and restore blue-carbon habitats. <BR /> <BR />The statement lays out the need for a blue-carbon action plan. I will highlight the work that has been completed, the work that is under way, the work that is required and the way ahead to deliver on an action plan. The draft green growth strategy sets out the scale of our ambition to tackle climate change and the importance of the green growth agenda. One of the high-level principles of green growth is respecting our planet by restoring our natural capital. The green growth strategy will be delivered through a number of programmes and action plans.”
“The measures to be brought into force by the order will not only enhance existing environmental protections but create mechanisms that will benefit future generations through a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Northern Ireland.”
“Establishing the Office for Environmental Protection in Northern Ireland, publishing an environmental improvement plan and developing a draft policy statement on environmental principles are immediate priorities, but there will also be a significant amount of new subordinate legislation, especially on waste, to make during the next Assembly mandate. I assure Members that the implementation of the Act's NI provisions will be progressed with minimal delay. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I once again thank the AERA Committee, my Executive colleagues and Members for their support through the lengthy process of getting the Environment Act on to the statute book.”
“It will be monitored and reported on by the OEP, and that will ensure transparency in how we are improving the environment. <BR /> <BR />The waste and resource efficiency measures in the Act will help us to deliver a circular economy in which resources are kept in circulation for as long as possible and waste is minimised. In almost all cases, the area's policy will be taken forward through regulations that the Assembly will have the opportunity to scrutinise at a future point. Examples include extended producer responsibility for packaging, a deposit return scheme for drinks containers and electronic waste tracking. <BR /> <BR />While approval of the commencement order is an important step, much remains to be done.”
“The OEP will cover England and Northern Ireland, and being part of that larger organisation will bring economies of scale and access to a broad knowledge base. The costs of creating a bespoke Northern Ireland oversight body are estimated to be significantly higher, probably at least double in the first year. <BR /> <BR />Regarding the environmental improvement plan, the strategy will be open-ended, with a series of action plans containing targets that are relevant to specific policy areas. It will contain outcomes and high-level targets. The policy-specific action plans that will flow from the strategy will, in turn, contain more detailed targets and milestones. The plan will provide a coherent response to the global challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.”
“I am happy to reassure the Assembly that neither I nor the Department have any intention of proactively issuing guidance before the OEP is established in Northern Ireland and that those powers will not be used to stop the OEP taking action against my Department or to preclude its investigating a broad category of cases. I remind Members that I worked with the UK Government to amend the Bill as it proceeded through Westminster to ensure that the Assembly would have the opportunity to scrutinise any draft guidance prepared by DAERA. <BR /> <BR />We are finalising detailed arrangements on the budget. The current estimate for Northern Ireland's contribution is between £700,000 and £800,000 for 2022-23, although the figure is expected to rise in year 2 as the OEP recruits its full staff complement and assumes its full functions.”
“I thank all Members who contributed to the debate: those who support the commencement of the provisions and those who have reservations. I will touch on some of the points that were raised. <BR /> <BR />There was the question of whether the OEP had sufficient independence. I believe that that is not the case, and, more importantly, the chair of the OEP does not believe it to be the case. The Act contains statutory guarantees of the OEP's independence, so, if Members are worried about its independence, the best thing that they can do is to support the order to bring those guarantees into force. <BR /> <BR />I understand that there may be some reservations about the power for DAERA to issue guidance to the OEP. The provision is there to ensure that the OEP spends money effectively and accountably.”
“Northern Ireland Departments and UK Government Ministers will be required to have due regard to the statement when making policy for Northern Ireland. The statutory duty to have due regard to the policy statement will commence six months after the final policy statement has been laid at the Assembly, to allow for sufficient preparation time. <BR /> <BR />We face a challenging time ahead in tackling the dangers posed to our natural world. These provisions represent a comprehensive package of measures not only to protect but to improve the environment in Northern Ireland. Accordingly, I ask the Assembly to approve the draft order.”
“<BR /> <BR />As I previously stated, all these provisions will commence on 28 February to ensure that, where possible, Northern Ireland has the same access to legislative power as other parts of the United Kingdom. The following provisions will come into force a little later in the year, on 25 July. Section 48 and schedule 2 cover two significant policy issues: environmental improvement plans (EIPs) and a policy statement on environmental principles. The first of those places a statutory duty on my Department to prepare and publish an EIP. The first Northern Ireland EIP will be the environment strategy that is currently under development, a draft of which I recently consulted upon. The second requires my Department to prepare, lay and publish a policy statement on environmental principles.”
“<BR /> <BR />Section 71 is a technical amendment to article 22 of the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland Order) 1997 to reflect the transfer of functions from the Department of the Environment to DAERA. <BR /> <BR />Section 89 enables the DEFRA Secretary of State, with DAERA's consent, to make regulations about the substances to be taken into account in assessing the chemical status of surface water or groundwater and to specify standards for those substances. Section 91 gives similar powers to my Department. <BR /> <BR />Section 140 and schedule 21 relate to chemicals and enable my Department or the Department for the Economy to amend the REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008 so far as they relate to Northern Ireland.”
“That will enable the current hazardous waste legislation in Northern Ireland, including provisions related to fixed penalty notices, to be updated and strengthened in the future. <BR /> <BR />Section 65 gives my Department powers to make charging schemes related to waste licensing, waste licensing exemptions, producer responsibility, end-of-life vehicles, waste batteries and accumulators, and waste electrical and electronic equipment. <BR /> <BR />Section 67 amends article 27 of the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 to provide my Department with powers to give direction in specified circumstances to registered carriers of controlled waste, keepers of controlled waste or the owner or occupier of land on which waste is being kept.”
“That measure also creates a number of civil sanctions that are designed to minimise the use of plastic items, and it is an example of our commitment to tackling the climate crisis and reducing our carbon footprint. <BR /> <BR />Section 56 amends schedule 6 to the Climate Change Act 2008 to provide a power for my Department to make regulations that require sellers of carrier bags in Northern Ireland to register with an administrator. <BR /> <BR />Section 59 amends the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 to create powers for my Department to introduce electronic waste tracking in Northern Ireland. It will create associated criminal offences and civil penalties. <BR /> <BR />Section 61 gives my Department increased domestic powers around the regulation of hazardous waste.”
“Section 53 and schedule 7 enable the making of regulations by my Department and the DEFRA Secretary of State, with DAERA's consent, that set resource efficiency requirements for products that have a significant impact on natural resources at any stage of their life cycle, with a view to reducing that impact. <BR /> <BR />Section 54 and schedule 8 provide enabling powers for my Department and the DEFRA Secretary of State, with DAERA's consent, to make regulations that establish deposit schemes. That will bolster enforcement procedures by creating a new criminal offence for any serious breach, as well as fines and sanctions for minor breaches. <BR />Section 55 and schedule 9 give my Department powers to make regulations about charges for single-use plastic items.”
“<BR /> <BR />Section 52 and schedule 6 enable my Department and the DEFRA Secretary of State, with DAERA's consent, to make subordinate legislation requiring the provision of resource efficiency information to consumers about products, durability, life cycle and repairability.”
“Section 50 and schedule 4 allow my Department and the DEFRA Secretary of State, with DAERA's consent, to make regulations in respect of producer responsibility obligations and their enforcement in Northern Ireland. They also repeal the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Northern Ireland) Order 1998. As a result of that repeal, a saving provision has been included to allow the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007, made under that order, to remain in operation until a new regime is established. <BR /> <BR />Section 51 and schedule 5 enable the making of regulations for extended producer responsibility for packaging. That will require those involved in manufacturing, processing, distributing or supplying products or materials to meet the disposal costs of those products.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Act received Royal Assent on 9 November 2021 and has two main themes, the first of which provides a legal framework for environmental governance and accountability now that the UK has left the EU, while the other provides for changes to the environmental legislation on producer responsibility, waste and resource efficiency, charges for single-use plastic items and carrier bags, water, chemicals, and forest-risk commodities. The order, if approved, will commence the sections of the Act in Northern Ireland on 28 February 2022. I will now set out the sections. <BR /> <BR />Section 49 and schedule 3 set out the functions, duties and powers of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) in Northern Ireland. The OEP will operate independently in enforcing and monitoring environmental protection in Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Assembly has, of course, previously debated the provisions of the Act in respect of two legislative consent motions, and I am grateful for Members' consideration and consent on those occasions. The Executive have also had the opportunity to consider and agree the Northern Ireland provisions of the Act on several occasions. I am grateful for my ministerial colleagues' support and that of the AERA Committee, which has scrutinised the legislation in a thorough and expeditious manner.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to bring before the Assembly the draft Environment (2021 Act) (Commencement and Saving Provision) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022. The order will be made under sections 147(6), 148(4) and 148(7) of the Environment Act 2021 which requires the order to be laid in draft and approved by a resolution of the Assembly. It is the first and only commencement order for the provisions of the Act relating to Northern Ireland devolved matters. While it is unusual for a commencement order to be subject to the draft affirmative procedure, the approach respects our devolution agreement and affords Members an opportunity to approve the coming into force of the Act's Northern Ireland provisions.”
“<BR /> <BR />There are an awful lot of good things going on, the Department is doing a lot of good things and there are a lot of good plans going forward to ensure that we have a better environment. We are working towards that all of the time. I know that the Member is always pushing for more. That is fair enough; I am pushing for more as well. We will seek to achieve as much as possible through this mandate, and, hopefully, in the next mandate, much more will be achieved for a better-quality environment in Northern Ireland.”
“What we are dealing with today is the support for this project and the announcement on the environmental challenge fund. Yes, we use community organisations and not-for-profit organisations, because we find a greater level of efficiency than we would if the projects were delivered through the traditional departmental methods. Many of those groups have volunteers — many hundreds of volunteers — and the money that we will distribute will lever a considerably greater impact than if we were to employ those people ourselves. I am grateful to the environmental NGOs for the work that they do, and I want to ensure that we can continue to support them in doing high-quality work that is beneficial to the environment.”
“The application process will all be done online, and we believe that it has been established to make it easier and, indeed, more accessible. We are conscious of our need to ensure that the smaller organisations can apply, too, and that organisations that may not have a high level of capacity but can do really good work can also achieve funding support from our Department on this important issue.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Member will also be pleased to note that Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is receiving £143,000 to implement key environmental outcomes identified and detailed in the various designated site-management action plans that were developed during the previous Northern Ireland Environment Agency environment fund (EF) delivery phase. Your constituency is doing well from this fund.”
“First of all, I thank the Member for her comments about our dear friend Christopher. Our party really appreciated everything that all the other parties said yesterday. The genuine outpouring of affection for Christopher was plain to see. It is hugely appreciated, because, whilst we are in this harsh, combative political world — I can be as combative as the next person — we are, nonetheless, all human beings at the end of it. Ultimately, it is heartbreaking that four children are left without a father. <BR /> <BR />Thank you for the question. Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful will receive £257,000 to promote that environmental action and behavioural change to make us a cleaner, greener and more sustainable community. We have been working closely with Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful over the period, and it is doing a lot of good work.”
“Therefore, I will bring amendments at Further Consideration Stage to try to rectify the harmful proposals and see if we can get to a more balanced position for the environment and for the people who look after it in the countryside, who are mainly from a farming background. If we cannot bring the farmers with us, it will be damaging for the environment, not for the betterment of it.”
“I was in Rosslea last week, and we came home through the mountains to Fivemiletown and then on to the motorways. As I travelled through all that land in that area, I looked at it and said, "None of this will be usable for agricultural purposes going forward on the basis of what is being proposed". Land that is considerably less marginal than that will be excluded from land use for agricultural purposes going forward. That is the reality of what we are facing. We have conversed with the Climate Change Committee (CCC) about that and discussed its expectations, and whilst I would like to see wetting of some of that land and would like to see tree planting on some of that land, I do not think that a total abandonment of land like that for farming purposes is the way forward.”
“That survey will also identify what is going on underneath the ground, because having that knowledge will give us the ability to decide what nutrients our farmland needs. By applying the appropriate amount of nutrients instead of an excess, we will see an improvement in our waterways. <BR /> <BR />There is a course of work to be done there and significant investment has been set aside to do it. We are very clear about the environmental issues. There are issues with greenhouse gases, carbon and biodiversity, but there are also issues about cleaner water and air. We intend to tackle all those problems, not just one.”
“None of this funding has, but I have secured funding through the green growth strategy to improve water quality and the management of slurries, in particular. <BR /> <BR />It will be really important for us to look at how we can optimise our usage of animal nutrients, which are currently termed as being waste. We need to turn that into something that is beneficial for the farmers but not harmful to the environment. Therefore, there is a need for appropriate usage of that, which is why we are sampling soils — that will take place across Northern Ireland — to identify the nutrients that the soil requires. That is also why we are doing our lidar survey, which will identify those areas where there will be particular levels of run-off of water and so forth that would make them unsuitable for slurry spreading, for example.”
“That will be of benefit to farms and the environment. <BR /> <BR />We are very encouraged by all of that. I believe that the farming community is keen to ensure that biodiversity improves all of the time. We want to see more wildlife in the form of birds, hares and other mammals on our ground. It is important that the farming community is able to do that. <BR /> <BR />I will say this about peatlands: the good management of them is important. Undergrazing and overgrazing are problems. A very small amount of correct burning is needed to ensure that huge swathes of peatlands do not end up being burnt. That is an important step that we need to take to ensure that the peatlands can keep the hen harriers, the red grouse and those forms of life. It is also very important that the invertebrates underneath the peatlands are not hit by fire.”
“I absolutely agree. Going forward, the greatest return that we will get for the least expenditure will be through our farmers. For example, better management of our hedgerows can deliver a significant biodiversity bounce at a very limited cost. <BR /> <BR />One of the first things that I did as Minister was launch the Forests for Our Future campaign, which is looking to plant 1·8 million trees every year. Forestry planting has gone up by 100% over the past year. That is not as far as I wanted it to be by this point, but, nonetheless, the trajectory is very good and we need to keep pressing ahead with that. The planting of indigenous species of trees, in particular, will continue to contribute to biodiversity. Farmers are embracing that and are particularly looking at margins, riparian boundaries and steep areas where they can plant trees.”
“All our primary and secondary schools are registered with the Eco-Schools Northern Ireland programme, so all of them are engaged and involved. It is a credit to all our head teachers and boards of governors that they are so keen to ensure, and are committed to ensuring, that the young people in their care and whom they are seeking to educate are educated on those environmental issues.”
“The wetting of peatlands is going to be important. How we utilise future agricultural framework policies and the green growth strategy to deliver that in a meaningful way is therefore important. <BR /> <BR />It is also important that we get the best bang for our buck. Some peatland restoration can be hugely expensive, but some can be a moderate expense. I want to get as much as possible done at moderate expense and to maximise, at an early point, what we can do to restore peatlands, and do that quickly. That is where the Department's focus should lie.”
“Buglife is an important element that the fund will help out. The fund will deliver on a number of themes that will support DAERA to meet its priorities by building the capacity of buglife to deliver on invertebrate conservation, which is popular in our peatlands. <BR /> <BR />That aside, we are doing work through our green growth strategy, a substantial element of which will be about how we can further wet our peatlands. We are also working to reduce the amount of ammonia that our peatlands receive. For example, the work that we did on promoting low-emission slurry-spreading equipment, and the funding that we provided for that, has reduced by around 25% the amount of ammonia getting to our peatlands. We are looking extensively at how we can reduce that percentage further, and we believe that we can.”