Stormont's Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir has vowed to tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis, describing it as the defining challenge of our generation. During an address to the Northern Ireland Environment Forum, Muir reaffirmed his strong support for an Independent Environmental Protection Agency.
Environmental Protection as Investment
Emphasising that environmental protection is an investment in long-term health, resilience and economic prosperity, Muir outlined his vision for a nature-positive society that is fair, resilient and prosperous, delivered through a just transition. He spoke just days after the latest demonstration of concern over Lough Neagh, which has been blighted by toxic blue-green algae blooms in recent summers.
Key Priorities
Muir said his priorities include championing climate action, improving water quality at Lough Neagh and elsewhere, facilitating nature recovery to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, strengthening environmental governance, and embedding sustainability. He noted progress under the Environmental Improvement Plan but acknowledged more work is needed, reiterating his strong support for an Independent Environmental Protection Agency.
Climate change, Muir argued, is evidenced by increased flash flooding, wildfires, other extreme weather events, and pressures on farming, food systems and infrastructure. He described climate and biodiversity as two sides of the same coin and said he is determined to reverse the trend on nature decline through the draft Nature Recovery Strategy.
Water Quality and Lough Neagh
Turning to water quality, Muir said action is being taken to reduce nutrient pollution and improve river basin management, stressing the importance of sectors working together to restore and protect Lough Neagh. Lough Neagh provides 40% of Northern Ireland's drinking water, demonstrating that improving water quality is not just about protecting ecosystems.
Clean air, clean water and access to nature are fundamental to public wellbeing, Muir said. Through policies on air, water, chemicals, land and nature, his department contributes directly to preventative health outcomes, working closely with health, infrastructure and local government partners, as well as rural communities.
Role of Farmers
Muir highlighted that all aspects of society are interlinked and all have a part to play. With farmers managing over one million hectares of land, they have a vital role in nature recovery and have been custodians of the land for generations. Through the Sustainable Agriculture Programme, farmers are being supported to aid nature recovery and farm resilience.
The solutions to many problems present massive opportunities if grasped, from climate action to nature recovery to a circular economy. Through sustained collaboration focused on a just transition, everyone can feel the benefits that a nature-positive society will bring, Muir concluded.
