Regulations on farmers aimed at cutting pollution 'need to be significantly strengthened'
Regulations aimed at reducing pollution from agriculture have not done enough to improve water quality in Northern Ireland, a new report has stated.
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) report assessed the effectiveness of the Nutrient Action Programme (NAP) Regulations, which have been in place since 2019.
The OEP concluded that the regulations need to be "significantly strengthened and better implemented" if they are to deliver improved water quality.
Professor Robbie McDonald, OEP chief scientist, said: "Nutrient pollution is a key threat to Northern Ireland's waters.
"Nutrient emissions from both agriculture and wastewater must be reduced greatly and rapidly to tackle the widening crisis we see across water bodies, such as Lough Neagh and Lough Melvin."
The OEP pointed out that nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus from agriculture and wastewater, cause water pollution.
Manure spread on land and the resulting run-off carry excess nutrients into waterways - polluting lakes, rivers and coastal waters as well as harming sensitive habitats, the report said.
Agricultural pollution is a contributor to the blue-green algal blooms which have blighted Lough Neagh and other water bodies in recent years.
Prof McDonald said: "The agriculture industry and farmers have made considerable progress in reducing nutrient emissions, through innovation and investments in infrastructure and changes to farming systems, since the first NAP regulations were introduced nearly 20 years ago.
"However, despite these positive efforts the evidence in our report shows further significant change is urgently needed.
"The current NAP regulations and aspects of their implementation have clearly been insufficient to deliver much-needed improvements in water quality.
"To reduce water pollution and secure the future of Northern Ireland's waters, the NAP regulations need to be significantly strengthened.
"This should happen alongside measures that effectively address pollution from wastewater."
The Department of Agriculture , Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is required to review the NAP regulations every four years.
DAERA published draft NAP proposals for consultation in May last year. The next round of proposals is expected to go out for a second consultation in the coming months, the OEP said.
Prof McDonald said: "The revision of the NAP offers the key opportunity for the Executive to help deliver on water quality as well as better protecting and improving the environment in Northern Ireland , which is under unsustainable pressure.
"The evidence in our report is important and relevant to the ongoing discussions about the NAP proposals and we hope helpful to DAERA Minister ( Andrew) Muir and the Executive in seizing the opportunity to ensure the revised NAP secures the future of Northern Ireland's waters."
The report makes a number of recommendations including limiting the amount of extra nutrients given to animals and crops, to reduce the high quantity of excess nutrients polluting waterways.
In a statement, Mr Muir acknowledged the OEP report on the current NAP and has commended the work being done to develop revisions to the NAP regulations.
"Improving water quality is a top priority, it is critical we work together to take the further action needed to tackle all sources of water pollution," he said.
"The NAP regulations have an important role to play as part of the suite of measures required to improve water quality.
"The NAP stakeholder task and finish group has been working tirelessly to develop revised measures that are evidence-based, meet legislative requirements and are workable at farm level and within realistic timeframes.
"I would like to place on record my thanks for the time and effort they have invested in the process to date under Karen Brosnan as independent facilitator.
"I look forward to receiving the group's final report in the near future as we move towards launching a further public consultation on proposals for the revised NAP in the coming weeks.
"I welcome that the OEP has acknowledged, as I have, the investment and efforts that farmers have made to adopt more sustainable practices.
"The OEP report also reaffirms my message that addressing all sources of nutrient pollution - including wastewater - is a top priority.
"A wide-ranging plan to strengthen regulation and enforcement of wastewater pollution has already been set out to the Assembly including exiting the separate regulatory regime between NIEA and NI Water under SORPI.
"I will fully scrutinise the detailed OEP report in conjunction with officials before my department lays its official response in the Assembly."