Every imported question, contribution and motion, with its classification. Unflagged, uncertain and not-yet-analysed records are all included so the analysis can be checked independently.
Minister, I live in the Mournes and love the Mourne Mountains area very much. I really care about the issue. There is a bit of a perception among local people that, in forming the group, there was a helicopter view of bringing together people who work for different organisations, whereas there was very little…
The implementation of environmental plans and strategies, such as the environmental improvement plan, the peatland strategy and the draft nature recovery strategy, will all benefit the Mournes. Initiatives to implement the wildfires Northern Ireland strategic action plan will support habitat restoration alongside the…
Minister, is your Department undertaking any further work to ensure that my constituents and, in fact, all the people in Northern Ireland, can enjoy that precious landscape for years to come?
I decided to establish the Northern Ireland Government Mournes strategic group to provide a platform for Departments and local government to work collectively to provide strategic leadership and advice on strategic issues impacting on the delivery of a sustainable future for the Mournes. Through the establishment of…
Thank you, Nuala. A working group consisting of representatives from a range of equine organisations in Northern Ireland, Ireland and Great Britain, chaired by Dr Jan Melia, was established to review the recommendations from the Katie Simpson review in relation to safeguarding in the equine industry. The first meeting…
Sitting alongside the welfare of the animals in the equine industry is the welfare of the people who work and volunteer in it. To that effect, what action has your Department taken as a result of the review of the murder of Katie Simpson?
I am interested in getting more detail on that. I am conscious that councils have a responsibility in a number of areas, but if you give me the details of that case, I can follow it up and, if necessary, engage with the council.
Animal welfare in that sector has been brought to my attention in my constituency in recent weeks with regard to a tethered pony. Are you content with how councils exercise their powers under section 17(1) of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 to alleviate suffering immediately when it is encountered?…
There is an interoperability as part of this. Further discussions are occurring with the Irish Government on how we can strengthen the future of equine skills at our College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) campus in Enniskillen. I am taking that forward with the Irish Government, with the potential…
Thank you, Doug. That report came about as a result of an RTÉ documentary, which was a really grim watch. On enforcement action, the Department currently has enforcement powers under the Equine Identification Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019, as amended, with various passporting offences. A person guilty of an…
I thank the Minister for his answer. He is right that there is a process to go through, and I accept that. However, he will also be aware of Professor Patrick Wall's report on equine welfare-led reform. That report was not commissioned here but by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and 11 of its…
The current legislation requires all equines under a person’s responsibility to be correctly identified, which includes holding a single lifetime identification document or, as it is commonly known, an equine passport. For equines born on or after 1 July 2009, that includes being microchipped. Owners and operators…
My officials continue to engage with and update the Northern Ireland farming industry through various communication channels, including the DAERA web page, social media pages and press releases when appropriate. Farmers in Northern Ireland should continue to operate in accordance with existing guidance, which is…
The Member will be aware of the arrangements that are in place, particularly in relation to compensation. The issue in focus at the moment is about making sure that we are dealing with the same strain that we dealt with previously. There are arrangements in place for that, and that is why there will be no immediate…
Given the number of cases across the water, farmers are somewhat concerned about not only disease risk but the financial hit should a case come this way and bluetongue restrictions suddenly tighten in Northern Ireland. Will the Minister confirm whether compensation arrangements, movement-control protocols and…
I encourage all livestock keepers to consult their private veterinary practitioner for advice on vaccinating their livestock against the threat of BTV-3. That is not compulsory; it is optional, and vaccines are available at the moment. We will continue to monitor the availability of vaccines. It is up to every…
I thank the Minister for his response. In light of the recent confirmed case of bluetongue in County Wexford and the continued spread of the disease in Britain, which he has already mentioned, will he provide an update on the availability of bluetongue vaccines, the Department's vaccination strategy and whether…
To date, in this season, no cases of bluetongue have been detected in Northern Ireland. Any reported suspect cases here have been ruled out following testing. I am aware that, on Friday 4 September, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirmed that, on post-mortem examination, an unvaccinated…
Mr Gaston, I will be going nowhere. All that you bring to this Chamber is division and hate. I will take no lessons from you on animal welfare, because you voted against the Bill from the Alliance Member to stop foxes being ripped apart by dogs. You are an absolute hypocrite.
Minister, you brushed off the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) scandal by claiming that it was an historical issue that related to malpractice in 2023 and 2024. The court order regarding Fivemiletown related to offences between 2022 and 2024, yet the farmer was not given enough time to sell off his 51…
Justin, I continue to go out and engage. That is what I will do. There is an open door, and I believe in engaging on the issue. People have questions, and they deserve answers. That is why I commissioned the independent external review. It is important that there is full transparency and that the findings and…
Minister, after the fiasco of the public shooting of cattle near Fivemiletown, can you detail what changes you have made to engagement, consultation and decision-making processes to reassure farmers that their voices are being properly heard?
I will not seek to restrain what Dr Blake does. He is doing good work. I encourage anyone who has any relevant information to share it with him. It is important that they do that so that it can inform his review. The only redactions that will take place will be those required under the law. As you are aware, there…