Debate contribution: Nutrients Action Programme
Debate contribution by Mr Andrew Muir on .
- MLA
- Mr Andrew Muir
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 28 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Nutrients Action Programme
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5762271
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I welcome the detailed advice and recommendations that I received from the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) in its response to the consultation on the proposed measures in the revised nutrients action programme (NAP). My Department is carefully considering those recommendations alongside all the other consultation responses. I asked the stakeholder task and finish group, with representatives from the agriculture, environmental and agri-food sectors, to develop proposals that are evidence based, workable at farm level within realistic time frames and meet legislative requirements. I truly appreciate the time and effort that have gone into that process. However, the OEP has raised issues that need to be considered and that will lead to changes to the final NAP proposals. It is imperative that we protect the environment and adhere to the law. Findings from the OEP that non-compliance with nitrogen limits may be widespread and that potentially 1,990 farms may be exceeding that limit are deeply concerning and must be addressed, as must the need to reform slurry exports, as I warned about on 10 June 2025. My officials are working closely with the OEP and stakeholders to finalise the measures in the NAP. I will consider those before taking my final decisions on the updated NAP regulations.
207 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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