Members of the Nutrients Action Programme Stakeholder Task & Finish Group – Image via Ulster Farmers’ Union

Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) welcomes the launch of the Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) consultation by DAERA following the review and development of the revised proposals by the Stakeholder Task and Finish Group.

Clean water is vital for all of Northern Ireland, and the outcomes-focused proposals shared for consultation today are a vital step as the water quality issues facing our lakes and rivers are tackled.

Max Bryant, CEO of NIEL said that environmental groups across Northern Ireland were pleased to be involved, through NIEL, in the collaborative and evidence-based approach taken by the Stakeholder Task & Finish Group to address the challenges posed by excess nutrients.

He said: “This unique approach recognised our shared need for clean water and healthy ecosystems – for health, nature and food production – and the role we all have in improving it.”

Adding that: “Agriculture is not the only pressure on water quality, and the need for action on wastewater, septic tanks, development, industry and wider catchment pressures is well documented; nevertheless, the NAP is a critical part of the response.”

“The Stakeholder Task and Finish Group agreed that environment and agriculture are intrinsically linked and mutually reliant if they are to thrive for generations, and this enabled the development of targeted actions to support better environmental outcomes through practical, evidence-led changes in land and nutrient management.”

“Critically, this approach acknowledges that this is a reset of the NAP process. In ensuring provision for ongoing review, tracking and revision of the measures outlined in the NAP, we will have accountability and will be able to measure real impacts and improvement in our water quality on an ongoing basis.”

“This has been made possible by the knowledge, understanding and trust built up over the nine-month review by the Stakeholder Task and Finish Group and the acceptance that the environmental challenges we all face can only be resolved by working together.”

Peter McEvoy, Chair of the NIEL Sustainable Agriculture Policy Steering Group and Vice Chair of NIEL, said the process had shown that progress is made when agriculture and environment work as partners.

“The challenge now is delivery,” he emphasised. “The final NAP is collaborative, evidence-led, and fair but ambitious, with enough support for farmers and enough accountability to produce real improvements in water quality.”

“Clean water is fundamental to nature, communities and the wider economy. Agriculture is not the only pressure, but it is a critical part of the solution. This consultation is now an important opportunity to shape measures that are effective, evidence-led and capable of delivering real change.”

NIEL would encourage our members and all of those with an interest in the environment, sustainable agricultural practices and water quality to respond to the consultation process, which can be found at Citizen Space Hub, or via the Stakeholder Group web pages at napfactsni.org.

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