DAERA Minister has today launched a public
consultation based on a stakeholder group's proposals to reduce
nutrient pollution from farming and improve water quality.
The proposals for the revised Nutrients Action Programme (NAP)
for 2027-2030 were co-designed by the NAP Stakeholder Task and
Finish Group which includes stakeholders drawn from a broad range
of expertise, including farming, environmental organisations,
agri-food industry and DAERA.
Following their public launch earlier today, a 10-week
consultation has now begun on the proposals to improve water
quality, so that further feedback can be obtained.
DAERA is also addressing other significant sources of pollution,
such as wastewater and urban drainage, through separate
programmes and legislation within its remit.
Welcoming the NAP Stakeholder Task and Finish Group's proposals,
DAERA Minister said: The revised NAP is
critical to securing our shared vision for a thriving, resilient
and environmentally sustainable future for our agricultural
sector. I want to put on record my appreciation for the many
hours Karen Brosnan and the entire group invested to reach an
agreed solution. Their efforts have been instrumental in
delivering proposals that will deliver improved water quality,
whilst working for the farms on the ground.
I am pleased to now launch a public consultation on the Task and
Finish Group's NAP proposals and encourage everyone with an
interest to read the proposals in full and take part in the
public consultation. All measures have been carefully considered
and are firmly embedded in science and evidence.
Through this process, our agricultural sector has again shown its
willingness to work with environmental organisations and rise to
the challenges posed by poor water quality. I know that the
majority of our farmers are already taking positive steps to
manage nutrients more efficiently and to protect the environment.
However, if we are to address the issues at Lough Neagh and
elsewhere, we need to tackle all sources of nutrient pollution. I
will not be found wanting in terms of regulation of wastewater,
but we need collective endeavour across government to deliver
good water quality.
The NAP Task and Finish Group was supported by a number of
subgroups with the aim of ensuring that the proposals were
informed by scientific evidence, will meet legal obligations but
were also workable at farm level.
The 3,400 responses received by DAERA in the Department's 2025
public consultation on NAP were also considered by Task and
Finish Group, with the feedback helping shape the new proposals.
The NAP Task and Finish group's proposals and all consultation
documents can be accessed here - www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/public-consultation-proposed-nutrients-action-programme-2027-2030
The deadline for submissions in the public consultation will be
23.59 hours on Monday 7 September 2026.
Following consideration of the consultation responses, the
Minister intends to seek Executive approval for the revised NAP
proposals and complete the necessary Committee and Assembly
processes so that they can be implemented within this mandate.
Notes to editors:
- The NAP Task and Finish Group involved representatives from
the Dairy Council (NI), the Nature Friendly Farming Network, the
Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association, NI
Environment Link, the NI Food and Drink Association, the NI Grain
Trade Association, the NI Meat Exporters Association, the NI Pork
and Bacon Forum, the NI Poultry Industry Federation, Ulster
Farmers' Union and DAERA. The terms of reference for the Group is
available on the DAERA website: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-10/NAP%20Stakeholder%20Task%20and%20Finish%20Group%20Terms%20of%20Reference%2022%2010%2025.pdf
