Whilst we support the overarching principles of the draft NAP, we do not necessarily agree with every single proposal presented and appreciate the significant difficulties some would mean for our farmers, but we believe that a public consultation is the appropriate democratic mechanism for debate, improvement, and challenge to the current proposals, which are just that at this stage, not yet actual government policy.

We support the urgent need for clean water across Northern Ireland – not just for nature, but for public health, recreation, and long-term economic resilience. The majority of contributions in today’s debate on this matter do not appear to be in balance with the needs of wider society. The NAP consultation presents an opportunity to gather evidence, reflect a wide range of views, and shape a fair and effective programme of action. Dismissing the consultation outright risks undermining that opportunity, when we know that action is urgently needed to address the water quality crisis we are faced with.

We support the Minister’s call for collaborative working through this process and the need for farmers, agri-business and environmental organisations to be represented to ensure a fair future for farming and the environment.

We also highlight the Office for Environmental Protection’s (OEP) recent letter to the Minister that underlines the chronic problem of nutrient pollution in Northern Ireland.  Their stark warning must be taken seriously - that we need urgent action on pollution from agri-food and wastewater sources – both require action. Ulster Wildlife will continue to work alongside farmers and advocate for increased investment in nature-friendly farming, supporting the rebalancing of the current system which has in the past too often prioritised production at the expense of nature and the environment.

We acknowledge that the challenges ahead are not easy and that sufficient support for farmers to make the changes required will be critical if we are to achieve a thriving future for both the agri-food sector and our natural environment - the two go hand in hand.