Latest news with #LoughNeagh
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Andrew Muir hits out at pollution plan 'misinformation'
Stormont's agriculture minister has hit out at what he has called "misinformation" over his department's plans to reduce water pollution which have faced criticism from some in the agri-food Ireland's long-overdue Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) for 2026-29 was published for consultation last month. Many of the proposals are linked to the Lough Neagh Action Plan. Unionist parties and farming unions have argued the plans are out of touch with the reality of on Tuesday, Andrew Muir said they were draft proposals with final decisions yet to be taken. 'Vile homophobic comments' Speaking in the Assembly the minister also criticised as "disgraceful" recent commentary on social media about the issue."I have seen misogynistic comments against officials in my department, there have been racist comments in relation to people that we are very, very fortunate to have working in our agri-food sector."Not for a very long time have I seen such vile homophobic comments about myself. I am a gay man and I am proud to be a gay man and it has no relevance whatsoever to the Nutrients Action Programme nor my ability to do this job." 'Utterly disgusting' The minister went on to say: "Some of the comments made towards me - I'm thick enough to be able to take that, it was shocking and I have not seen something like that since the 1990s, but some of the comments for example in terms of foreign nationals working in agri-food, I just thought that was beneath contempt and I think it's important we call this out here."We can have a rational discussion around these things but we should not descend into that, and some of the comments against officials are wrong."The leader of the Opposition, SDLP assembly member Matthew O'Toole said it was "utterly disgusting" and the minister had the opposition's support in calling it out, while the DUP's Gary Middleton said the social media comments against the minister and his officials were unacceptable.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Lough Neagh: fishing industry 'victim' of environmental damage
The fishing industry on Lough Neagh is "a victim" of the environmental challenges facing the lough, politicians have been comments by representatives of the Lough Neagh Fishermen's Co-operative came as eel fishing in Lough Neagh was temporarily Co-operative said it was because the quality of the catch wasn't good season started on 5 May, but was suspended on 12 May. Lough Neagh eel is 'the ultimate' The Co-operative plans to resume fishing on 9 June, depending on its own assessments of the at the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs committee meeting this morning, CEO Kathleen McBride said that Lough Neagh eel was marketed as "the ultimate", as a product with Protected Geographical Indication status since 2011."I have a sample catch scheduled for every week now until the week before the 9th."We will gut these ourselves and try and assess them as best we can to see, and we'll work very closely with our markets in Holland to see is it what they're expecting, is it what they're needing?"She added that, while the science did not show a major decrease in the fat content of the eel, "our customers are telling us there's a significant decrease." The former CEO of the Co-operative, Pat Close, told the committee that the fishing industry on Lough Neagh was probably "collateral damage" from the other environmental challenges facing the Lough."There are many, many external factors and influences over which we have no control, or indeed had much consultation if any about, but that has led to a situation where the fishing industry is probably collateral damage and certainly a victim in this situation because of the impact all of these things have had on the fish quality, particularly the fat content."Most of the eel catch is exported to the Netherlands, where it is rest of the catch is sent to Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute said it had been "due to begin collecting samples on behalf of the department on the 13th of May".It added that because of the suspension, it was "therefore not able to assess the condition of any eels caught since fishing commenced and are not in a position to comment." Ms McBride urged the government to support the eel-fishing industry."Our eels are traditional here; our methods are very traditional, and better than that, they're very sustainable. There's practically no carbon footprint on that capture."And I think that's to be lauded in comparison to what's happening within the agricultural industry."So we should be supported in that and looked up to how this works in a rural area."
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Farmers say NI pollution proposals 'out of touch'
Farmers have said plans to reduce water pollution as a result of agricultural activity are "out of touch" with the reality of agriculture. Northern Ireland's long-overdue Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) for 2026-29 has been published for consultation. Many of the proposals are linked to the Lough Neagh Action Plan. Making low emission slurry spreading equipment (LESSE) mandatory and placing restrictions on the use of phosphorus fertiliser are among recommended revisions. President of the Ulster Farmers' Union, William Irvine, said it was "deeply concerning" the proposals from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) "lean heavily" towards enforcement and regulation rather than education, incentives or collaboration with farmers. "Farmers are not shying away from their responsibilities," he said. "For the last 20 years, since NAP was first introduced, we have been implementing practices to improve water quality. "We fully recognise the need to protect and improve water quality, but it must be done in a way that's balanced, fair and grounded in the day-to-day realities of farming in NI. "The proposals within NAP reflect a clear disconnect with local agriculture and fail to deliver what's truly needed." Daera said it was "widely recognised that the intensification of agricultural production has had negative impacts on the environment". Daera Minister Andrew Muir said action was needed to improve water quality and meet legal obligations. "This is why it is essential to review NAP and consider additional measures to reduce the overall phosphorus surplus in our agricultural system," he said. "The main additional measures include further restrictions on use of chemical phosphorus fertiliser and a farm phosphorus balance limit for more intensive farms." He added that while 62% of the nutrient load in waterways could be traced back to to agriculture, other sources such as wastewater treatment and septic tank seepages also play a role. His department also wants to "enhance" the enforcement powers available to it, to apply fixed or variable monetary penalties for breaches of the NAP. Speaking on BBC's The View, Muir said he recognised that the measures proposed in the NAP are "challenging" and the consultation is "very complex". "Ultimately we do need to change so we can improve our waterways and I don't want to consign Lough Neagh to the scenes we've seen in recent years," Muir said. He added that since NI Water was established in 2007 they have had a "permission to pollute". He added that he was "fed up" with the lack of investment in wastewater infrastructure, and that the Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins "needs to get her head out of the sand and needs to turn the situation around". "What I am being left with as the minister for agriculture, environment and rural affairs is the job of cleaning up the sewage that NI Water are pumping into our waterways." On Friday, the minister announced that the consultation would be extended to 12 weeks and will now close on 24 July. "I recognise that the proposals in the revised NAP have a level of complexity because of the detailed science and evidence underpinning them," he said. "Therefore, having listened to the concerns from farmers and industry about the need for more time to consider the consultation proposals, I am extending the consultation period by four weeks." Muir said the extension is an "important opportunity" for people to respond or offer alternative proposals, and stressed that no final decisions have yet been made. Intensive farms – mostly dairy and some beef farms - can be granted a derogation for using slurry on their land, allowing them to apply up to 250kg nitrogen per hectare per year from grazing livestock manures, rather than 170kg. The number of farms that currently have a derogation is 427. The lower limit for nitrogen would be reduced to 150kg/N/ha/year, putting another 3,100 farms in the category. In total, the consultation document said, these farms account for 17% of all farms, yet produce some 50% of total manure nitrogen. They will also represent a significant proportion of surplus phosphorus because of their greater reliance on feed inputs. These farms would also be subject to a Phosphorus Balance Limit of 10kg/ha/year in 2027, reducing to 8kg in 2029. Other schemes seeking ways of better using slurry and the nutrients it contains include the sustainable use of livestock slurry and using slurry to generate biogas. Sewage bacteria above legal limits at NI swimming spots More than 2,000 fish killed in river pollution Stormont potentially breached water laws - minister Funds not available for major water infrastructure plans
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
NI water pollution: Farmers says Stormont proposals 'out of touch'
Farmers have said plans to reduce water pollution as a result of agricultural activity are "out of touch" with the reality of Ireland's long-overdue Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) for 2026-29 has been published for of the proposals are linked to the Lough Neagh Action low emission slurry spreading equipment (LESSE) mandatory and placing restrictions on the use of phosphorus fertiliser are among recommended revisions. 'Farmers are not shying away' President of the Ulster Farmers' Union, William Irvine, said it was "deeply concerning" the proposals from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) "lean heavily" towards enforcement and regulation rather than education, incentives or collaboration with farmers."Farmers are not shying away from their responsibilities," he said."For the last 20 years, since NAP was first introduced, we have been implementing practices to improve water quality."We fully recognise the need to protect and improve water quality, but it must be done in a way that's balanced, fair and grounded in the day-to-day realities of farming in NI."The proposals within NAP reflect a clear disconnect with local agriculture and fail to deliver what's truly needed."Daera said it was "widely recognised that the intensification of agricultural production has had negative impacts on the environment". Why is the plan being introduced? Daera Minister Andrew Muir said action was needed to improve water quality and meet legal obligations."This is why it is essential to review NAP and consider additional measures to reduce the overall phosphorus surplus in our agricultural system," he said."The main additional measures include further restrictions on use of chemical phosphorus fertiliser and a farm phosphorus balance limit for more intensive farms."He added that while 62% of the nutrient load in waterways could be traced back to to agriculture, other sources such as wastewater treatment and septic tank seepages also play a department also wants to "enhance" the enforcement powers available to it, to apply fixed or variable monetary penalties for breaches of the NAP. 'Permission to pollute' Speaking on BBC's The View, Muir said he recognised that the measures proposed in the NAP are "challenging" and the consultation is "very complex".He told the programme he will be extending the consultation period by four weeks."Ultimately we do need to change so we can improve our waterways and I don't want to consign Lough Neagh to the scenes we've seen in recent years," Muir added that since NI Water was established in 2007 they have had a "permission to pollute".He added that he was "fed up" with the lack of investment in wastewater infrastructure, and that the Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins "needs to get her head out of the sand and needs to turn the situation around"."What I am being left with as the minister for agriculture, environment and rural affairs is the job of cleaning up the sewage that NI Water are pumping into our waterways." Better ways of using slurry Intensive farms – mostly dairy and some beef farms - can be granted a derogation for using slurry on their land, allowing them to apply up to 250kg nitrogen per hectare per year from grazing livestock manures, rather than number of farms that currently have a derogation is lower limit for nitrogen would be reduced to 150kg/N/ha/year, putting another 3,100 farms in the total, the consultation document said, these farms account for 17% of all farms, yet produce some 50% of total manure will also represent a significant proportion of surplus phosphorus because of their greater reliance on feed farms would also be subject to a Phosphorus Balance Limit of 10kg/ha/year in 2027, reducing to 8kg in schemes seeking ways of better using slurry and the nutrients it contains include the sustainable use of livestock slurry and using slurry to generate biogas.
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Anna Haugh's Big Irish Food Tour is coming to BBC Two
In this 15-part series, starting on Monday 5 May on BBC Two, Anna Haugh travels around the island of Ireland, exploring all that is unique, and new, about Irish cuisine and culture. From Ballycastle in County Antrim to Cork city, Anna is joined by celebrity guests including Katherine Ryan, Dennis Taylor, Ed Byrne, Shayne Ward, Laura Whitmore and Vanessa Feltz, who share their own Irish food memories and don their aprons to help her prepare a special meal. On this culinary journey around the island Anna and her guest meet local food producers and sample an array of local ingredients and flavours. Anna says: 'Irish food is my passion and it's a passion that took me from Dublin to London to pursue my dreams. 'Throughout this series, viewers can look forward to lots of delicious, inspiring food ingredients, wonderful recipes and great chats with my celebrity guests and food producers.' In the first episode, Katherine Ryan joins Anna in the city of Cork – the 'foodie capital of Ireland' - where memories of her grandmother's 'over-boiled and under-seasoned' dinners have left the comedian with a bad impression of Irish food. In episode two snooker legend Dennis Taylor returns to the snooker hall in County Tyrone where it all began and after a spot of fishing, Anna and Dennis do some outdoor cooking with one of the area's most unique delicacies - the Lough Neagh eel. Later in the series, in her native Dublin, Anna meets actor Eilish O'Carroll from Mrs Brown's Boys in an area of the city where traditional markets mix with global street food, and in County Antrim she visits a Ballycastle farm with garden designer Diarmuid Gavin. The pair are put to work during potato planting season, and Anna later creates a goat hotpot for Diarmuid using these local spuds. Far from the bright lights of London, Anna explores the rugged landscape of County Mayo with presenter Angela Scanlon and travels to Portrush on the north coast to meet actor Ian McElhinney. In the seaside town, Ian reminisces about childhood holidays spent enjoying dulse, a local seaweed snack. Other well-known faces joining Anna on her tour include, presenter Vanessa Feltz, Father Ted actor Pauline McLynn, wildlife broadcaster Liz Bonnin, rugby legend Bundee Aki and The Saturdays popstar Una Healy. Anna's journey comes to an end with singer and actor Shayne Ward in County Louth. Shayne is keen to connect with his Irish Traveller heritage and Anna introduces him to one of Ireland's last surviving tinsmiths. They also visit a local farm where Shayne gets his hands dirty picking cabbage. Anna Haugh's Big Irish Food Tour was commissioned for BBC Daytime and BBC Northern Ireland as part of the Hot House Initiative with support from Northern Ireland Screen. The series, made by Below The Radar TV, starts on Monday 5 May and airs weekdays at 6.30pm on BBC Two. The full series is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Watch Anna Haugh's Big Irish Food Tour on BBC iPlayer ML
