The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Daera) Has, for the First Time, Published a Comprehensive
Statutory Report on Northern Ireland's Implementation of the
Habitats Regulations for Protected Habitats and Species. The
Report Which Covers the Period 2019-2024 Underscores the Urgent
Need for Decisive Action to Restore Nature.
The Report Provides Greater Clarity on What Northern Ireland Has
Achieved in Terms of Nature Conservation and Importantly Helps
Identify What the Next Steps Should Be to Restore the Natural
Environment.
Accompanying the General Implementation Report Are the
Conservation Status Results for Each of the Most Protected
Habitats and Species in Northern Ireland. The Vast Majority of
Habitats Are in Unfavourable-bad' Conservation Status. In Terms
of Species, Approximately a Third Are in Favourable' Conservation
Status.
Commenting on the Results, Daera Minister Said: This Report Makes for
Sobering Reading, Highlighting the Scale of the Challenge Facing
Our Habitats and Species. For Those Who Still Don't
Recognise the Urgency of the Biodiversity Crisis, This Should
Serve As an Important Wake up Call.
Whilst the bar Is Set High for Achieving Favourable Conservation
Status, It Is Clear That Our Habitats and Species Are Suffering
from Decades of Neglect and over the Reporting Period (2019-2024)
Limited Progress Was Made to Shift the Dial on Biodiversity
Decline.
We Know What Many of the Solutions Are to Turn This Situation
Around, and I Take Hope from the Inspiring Examples of Nature
Recovery Being Delivered in Northern Ireland. However, This
Work Needs to Be Replicated at Scale with Sustained Support,
Investment and Commitment from Across Government.
The Launch of the Draft Nature Recovery Strategy for Consultation
Is a Significant Step in Taking Forward the Necessary Actions to
Conserve, Protect and Restore Our Precious Natural Environment.
I Am Determined to Ensure That by the End of the Next Reporting
Period We Have a Better Story to Tell.With Evidence-based
Strategy, Policy and Action on the Ground, We Can Deliver Nature
Recovery at Scale and Meet Our 30 by 30 Target As Set out in Our
Programme for Government.”
A Report on the Status and Trends of Birds Also Shows Mixed
Results, with some Birds in Decline and some Improving.
This Cycle of Reporting Highlights That the Most Significant
Pressures Weighing on the Natural Environment Relate Mainly to
Agricultural Related Practices and Climate Change.
The Northern Ireland Environmental Improvement Plan Provides the
Framework to Enable Nature Recovery. Several New Strategies,
Plans and Schemes Are Also Well Advanced and Will Make a
Meaningful Difference to Conservation Efforts in Northern
Ireland. These Include the Draft Climate Action Plan, the Draft
Climate Change Adaptation Plan, the Draft Nature Recovery
Strategy for Northern Ireland, the Proposed Ammonia Strategy for
Northern Ireland and the Farming with Nature Scheme. For the
Marine Environment, Strategies Include the Northern Ireland Blue
Carbon Action Plan 2025-2030, the Marine Protected Areas Strategy
for the Northern Ireland Inshore Region 2025-2030 and the Draft
Seabird and Elasmobranch Conservation Strategies.
Notes to Editors:
- On 30 January 2026, Daera Published for the First Time a
Comprehensive Northern Ireland General Implementation Report
Which Sets out the Main Achievements Under the Habitats
Regulations in Northern Ireland in Relation to Nature
Conservation and Implementation of the Regulations. In Previous
Reporting Cycles, Prior to Eu Exit, This Requirement Was Carried
out at a Uk Level
- The 2019-2024 Habitats Regulations Reports for Northern
Ireland Are Available At: Www.Daera-ni.Gov.Uk/topics/habitats-regulations
- A Composite Report for the Four Uk Countries Will Be
Published in January 2028 by Jncc At: Https://jncc.Defra.Gov.Uk/our-work/habitats-regulations-reporting-2019-to-2024/
