NI NAP proposals labelled ‘challenge' to farmers' way of life
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) politician Lord Tom Elliott has said that the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) approach through the Nutrient Action Programme (NAP) proposals to farmers appears an 'out and out challenge to their way of life and livelihood'.
Earlier this month, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, Andrew Muir launched a public consultation on the NAP for 2026 to 2029, which he said contains 'additional measures which have been developed based on scientific research'.
The main additional measures include further restrictions on use of chemical phosphorus fertiliser and a farm phosphorus balance limit for more intensive farms.
Lord Tom Elliott said: 'We are aware that in many areas of life, including agriculture much action is required to improve the environment.
'I have always encouraged the minister to do that in cooperation with the farming sector, as opposed to direct confrontation.
'The farming community have already made significant progress towards reduction of nutrient and other positive environmental matters. However, they need the minister and DAERA to work with them as opposed to resistance of farmers.
'I agree with Dr. Sinclair Mayne, who is former CEO [chief executive] of the Agri Food and Biosciences Institute [AFBI] and former departmental scientific adviser for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development that it is essential that proposed new measures are based on robust science, based on peer-reviewed scientific papers, rather than subjective assessment,' Lord Elliott added.
The UUP chairperson stressed that this was the basis for the first action programme agreed with the European Commission in 2007 and subsequent reviews.
Elliott claimed that Dr. Mayne has detailed a number of areas where DAERA has not presented the appropriate scientific evidence base for the proposals.
'DAERA [has] done little to even attempt to persuade farmers of the merits of these most recent proposals; they seem more intent on pushing the farming community beyond what it can achieve, with little cooperation or working together,' he continued.
'I repeat my earlier calls, before it's too late for the minister to work with the farming sector, as opposed to him being seen by many farmers as an enemy to their way of life and someone who seems to many as set on destruction of the agricultural industry in Northern Ireland.
'The farming sector has so much to offer the entire society, it is vital that the DAERA and the agricultural community work together.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Agriland
13-06-2025
- Agriland
Ag Committee chair calls for withdrawal of NAP public consultation
The chairperson of the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee, Robbie Butler has called for the withdrawal of the current Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) public consultation in Northern Ireland. Butler did so courtesy of his contribution to a Stormont Assembly debate on the matter earlier this week. Butler said in his address: 'There is no doubt that improving water quality in Lough Neagh and in our rivers is essential. 'No one in this chamber, and certainly no one in our rural communities, denies the scale of the problem.' NAP public consultation The AERA committee chair went on to explain why he felt the NAP public consultation should be withdrawn. ' But we must be honest: the proposals currently on the table risk alienating the very people whose buy-in, expertise and practical action are essential to achieving real, lasting change,' Butler said. 'Over 3,500 farms face the prospect of stricter phosphorus limits, compulsory buffer strips, and mandatory investment in low-emission slurry equipment. 'These NAP proposals are not being introduced into a vacuum. They come at a time of immense financial pressure, workforce stress, and a growing sense of disconnect between policy-makers and those working the land.' The AERA committee chairperson went on to confirm his attendance at a recent service of remembrance to honour those who have died on farms, whether by tragic accident or by suicide. He said: 'That reality is a sobering reminder of the toll these pressures are already taking. 'With serious and very real pressures growing on family farms in Northern Ireland, we must without doubt face up to our environmental responsibilities: but we must not break our farmers to do so. 'That's why I support the call for the withdrawal of the NAP consultation: not to abandon progress, but to create space for a better, fairer, more joined-up approach. One that is evidence-based, co-designed, and genuinely multi-sectoral.' Threats to water quality But the Lagan Valley-based Ulster Unionist Party politician feels that simply to end the NAP public consultation process does not go far enough. He said he wants to ensure that agriculture is not seen as the only source of pollution affecting Lough Neagh. Nor is it the only sector in need of reform. Butler explained: 'Water quality in our rivers and lakes is being degraded not just by nutrient runoff, but also by inadequate wastewater treatment infrastructure, industrial discharge, urban runoff, and rising temperatures driven by climate change. 'Invasive species like zebra mussels have altered the very ecology of the lough. 'The question of whether to dredge or not to dredge remains contentious. These wider factors must be part of the conversation too : not pushed to the sidelines.' Butler outlined the type of strategy he felt should replace the current NAP public consultation. 'If we isolate agriculture while ignoring these other pressures, we risk making the same mistakes again. Worse still, we risk losing the confidence of rural communities; communities who want to be part of the solution but too often feel they are treated as the problem.' 'That's why we need a reset. A strategy that respects farmers, rewards best practice, and reflects the collective responsibility we all share for protecting our environment. 'That includes collaboration between the minister for agriculture, environment and rural affairs and the minister for infrastructure — particularly around the chronic underinvestment in wastewater infrastructure that continues to contribute to pollution across the region.'
Agriland
12-06-2025
- Agriland
Muir must ‘start again' on NAP issue
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA), Andrew Muir, has been told that he must go back to the drawing board in terms of developing a Nutrients Action Plan (NAP) for Northern Ireland. This is according to Declan McAleer, the deputy chair of Northern Ireland's AERA Committee. Speaking after a Stormont Assembly debate on the new NAP regulations, McAleer said that the agriculture minister has put the cart before the horse. McAleer added: 'There is talk of a stakeholder group being formed to review the outcome of the now ongoing NAP public consultation. 'Getting the fundamental view of these bodies before going public with any package of proposals should have been the course of action taken in the first place. 'And that's what should happen now. The farm minister should bring the current public consultation to an end with immediate effect and start again.' The Sinn Féin politician also believes that many of the current NAP proposals are not for purpose. He explained: 'They give little recognition to the steps that have been taken on farms across the north to prove water quality. 'All farmers want water of the highest quality – both for their own personal use while also meeting the needs of their stock. 'Looking ahead, the proposed NAP arrangements foresee the use of low emission slurry spreading equipment on all farms by 2029. 'But the reality is that small farm businesses in places like the Sperrins will not be able to fund an investment of this type from their own pockets.' According to McAleer, this 'brings up the issue of effective support being made available' to ensure the proper implementation of any NAP proposals that are eventually agreed upon. 'Farmers have a vital role to play in protecting our waterways and need to be properly supported to do that,' he said. McAleer indicated that the Stormont Assembly had sent a clear message by voting to reject the minister's plan and to call for meaningful engagement with the farming community. 'The current NAP proposals are not fit for purpose. The timelines currently set out are very difficult for many farmers to meet and the necessary supports are absent,' the AERA Committee deputy chair said. 'Sinn Féin has raised these concerns directly with department of agriculture officials and we will continue to make the case for a just transition whereby the department properly engages with farmers, carries out proper impact assessments and supports farmers to reduce pollution.'
Agriland
10-06-2025
- Agriland
NI ag minister receives death threat
Northern Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Enterprise and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir has received a death threat, that has been reported to the Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI). Minister Muir said that a comment was posted during a Zoom call he was attending, which threatened to 'have (the minister) shot'. The PSNI said it has received reports of threats, and has launched an investigation. Minister Muir said: 'I'm disappointed to see some of the online comments posted in recent times, both in terms of myself and also officials. 'This does not reflect the vast majority of people in farming, I have been welcomed into many farmers' homes and I'm grateful for the warm and respectful welcome since I took up ministerial office.' The minister also believes it is important to 'lower the tone' in wider public discourse on the draft Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) proposals. He said: 'This is a public consultation – there's no need to issue death threats against me, nor make discriminatory comments about anyone. 'We have a critical challenge in terms of improving water quality in Lough Neagh, and also giving financial stability and certainty for farming here. 'That will not change via death threats or anything else. I have a job to do for the people of Northern Ireland and I will continue to do that,' the minister added. Minister Andrew Muir The deputy leader of the Alliance Party, Eóin Tennyson has described the death threat as 'deplorable and unacceptable'. Tennyson said: 'I am proud of the leadership Andrew has offered on Lough Neagh and the protection of our environment. Whilst there must always be space for honest, open and robust political debate; there can be no place for intimidation or threat of violence. 'Threats against any politician are an attack on the democratic process.' The chief superintendent of the PSNI, Stephen Murray said that the PSNI will do all it can to ensure that politicians are supported, and that they can undertake their role 'free from fear and intimidation'. Murray said: 'It is totally unacceptable that anyone should face abuse or threats simply for carrying out the duties of their office. We will thoroughly investigate any such incident. 'We regularly engage with our elected representatives in order to provide information on personal safety, how the police service can support them and, crucially, when to report an incident to police.' 'We regularly engage with assembly and parliamentary officials, and the electoral commission, in regard to elected representative safety,' Murray added.
