Opposition mounts against draft NI Nutrient Action Programme
Opposition continues to mount against the draft Nutrient Action Programme (NAP) proposals announced recently by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir.
Last month Minister Muir launched a public consultation on the NAP for 2026-2029, 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.
According to Minister Muir, research shows that around 62% of the high nutrient (phosphorus) levels in Northern Ireland's waterbodies 'come from agricultural sources'.
Ahead of next week's Stormont debate on Tuesday June 10, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart is urging farmers to contact their local MLAs.
She said: 'These complex measures will ultimately force destocking, push farmers to rent or buy more land, and set impossible targets which will have far-reaching consequences across the entire agri-food sector.
'This is not only a 'hammer blow' for farmers, it's an 'industry bombshell' which will jeopardise food security and have a devastating impact on the Northern Ireland economy.
'Farmers turned out in force at Greenmount last week, but they need to stand-firm by completing the DAERA consultation which ends on July 24, and continuing to lobby politicians and industry leaders.
'This week my DUP colleague Michelle McIlveen MLA, launched the online petition 'Scrap the NAP' and successfully secured a debate in the Stormont Assembly,' Lockhart added.
The MP has urged people to sign the petition and make their voices heard by contacting their local MLAs to speak out and vote in favour of the motion which calls on Minister Muir to stop the process and start again with a co-designed scheme.
Opposition to Nutrient Action Programme
The DUP agriculture, environment and rural affairs spokesperson added: 'I want to be absolutely clear that I fully condemn any abuse directed at Minister Muir in recent weeks. Personal attacks are never acceptable and they are not the answer.
'However, I will continue to challenge the minister and vehemently oppose the 2026 to 2029 NAP proposals. I urge others to do the same.
'This is a disastrous policy. It contains 30 draconian recommendations which are disproportionate, unworkable at farm level, and include top-heavy enforcement and financial penalties.'
Lockhart claimed that the timeframes for the proposals are contradictory as peer-reviewed scientific evidence has shown a time lag of between four and 20 years for water quality change in medium-sized catchments to be properly assessed.
'Yet changes to farming practices are expected to show improvements within 12 months, otherwise penalties will be incurred,' she continued.
'The minister and his DAERA officials cannot ignore industry calls, especially as they didn't engage with stakeholders prior to publishing the NAP document and launching the consultation.
'An economic impact assessment should be carried out in advance of this consultation. The rules surrounding EIAs [Environmental Impact Assessments] are clear, any major development project, or activities that may have a significant effect on the environment.'
Lockhart said that every farmer and industry stakeholder who contributed to the event at Greenmount last week was 'respectful, but anxious' about what lies ahead in the wake of the fourth NAP review.
'Minister Muir continuously reminds us that he wants to work alongside farmers, but shying away from attending the NAP information event was the wrong thing to do,' Lockhart continued.
'The meeting was the perfect opportunity to engage with the agricultural community and listen to their genuine concerns.'
The MP added that the NAP has been in place for almost two decades, and according to the recent NI Environmental Statistics Report, improvements have been made.
She commented that farmers have contributed to a significant fall in river nitrate levels, with 100% of NI rivers meeting EU standards for nitrates.
'There has also been a decrease in greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions attributed to agriculture. It's obvious that farmers do care, and are striving to protect our waterways and enhance the environment,' the MP added.
The report highlighted that during 2024, 1,886 water pollution incidents were recorded, with 887 (47%) confirmed as having an impact on water quality.
'It is outrageous that farmers are continually used as scapegoats. Northern Ireland Water and the Department for Infrastructure must be held accountable, especially as the province's outdated system is at breaking point,' Lockhart said.
'Earlier this week, Minister Muir described NI Water as a corporate polluter, and said it should be treated as such. He added, and I quote, 'giving NI Water a by-ball is not tenable. The system must be honest and fair to all'.
'Farmers and the wider agri-food supply chain are demanding a suspension of the NAP consultation.
'The figures are questionable, prompting wide-spread calls for calculations to be quantified. There needs to be effective, round-table discussions with stakeholders to reach a more acceptable way forward.'
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