Significant change urgently needed to improve water quality
Significant change is "urgently needed" to ensure that regulations aimed at reducing pollution from agriculture effectively improve water quality as intended.
The UK's environment watchdog, the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), has assessed the effectiveness and application of the 2019 Nutrients Action Programme (NAP).
It found that, while "considerable progress" has been made, the programme needs to be "significantly strengthened and better implemented".
Revised regulations are currently under discussion following farmers' feedback that the initial proposals were "out of touch".
The OEP's Chief Scientist Robbie McDonald emphasized the importance of not delaying changes needed to address the "widening crisis" in water bodies.
'Borrowing from the next generation'
Nutrient pollution has been identified as a top environmental priority in Northern Ireland by the OEP.
The watchdog is already investigating wastewater pollution regulation in Belfast Lough.
This latest review focused on the current NAP as the primary regulatory framework for managing nutrient pollution from agricultural sources.
The assessment revealed "gaps in the regulations and areas of legal uncertainty that limit their effectiveness".
It concluded that the current NAP "will not be able to deliver" strategic environmental outcomes related to air, water, and land quality.
Professor McDonald stated that although revising the NAP regulations presents "a challenge" for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) minister and the executive, failure to act would worsen the difficulties faced by future generations of farmers.
"Failing to invest in what needs to be done today is just borrowing from the next generation,"
"There is robust evidence that the agri-food industry is a significant contributor to nutrient pollution.
It must also, therefore, be a significant contributor to reducing pollution."
He added that government, the agri-food industry, and its businesses "must play their part" to ensure a just transition for the farming community.
More effort needed
While the review acknowledges "positive investment and efforts from farmers" since the NAP process began in 2007, it states that "further, significant change" is necessary.
The report highlights that the agri-food industry has "become heavily dependent" on millions of tonnes of imported animal feed and fertiliser, which can supply more nutrients than animals and crops require.
This surplus leads to agricultural run-off, contributing to water pollution, damage to sensitive habitats, and blue-green algal blooms in Lough Neagh and other locations.
The OEP has made 12 recommendations to strengthen the regulations, focusing on compliance, technical provisions, and establishing the scale of nutrient pollution reduction needed to improve water quality.
Recommendations include providing advice and support to farmers, increasing farm inspections, and future-proofing regulations to address the impacts of climate change.
The report cautions that while fines for pollution incidents may have a limited deterrent effect, both civil and criminal sanctions should remain available to regulators, proportionate to the scale of each case.
'Top priority' to improve water quality
Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir stated that "improving water quality is a top priority" but emphasized that "it is critical we work together".
He noted that the NAP regulations have an "important role to play as part of the suite of measures required to improve water quality".
"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," said Muir.
Farming leaders have questioned the timing of the OEP's report.
Deputy President of the Ulster Farmers' Union, John McLenaghan, said farmers were "already actively engaged" in reviewing the latest NAP plans, which consider proposals for both agriculture and the environment.
"Agricultural policy cannot be developed by looking at environmental outcomes in isolation,"
"Policy must also recognise the economic realities of local food production and the importance of rural communities.
It is impossible to deliver balanced and workable policy if only one input is considered."
He acknowledged the "significant investment and changes" made by farmers as noted by the OEP but stressed that "it was essential that all sectors of society play their part in addressing water quality".
What is the NAP?
The Nutrients Action Programme was launched in 2007 to address water pollution from agricultural sources.
It undergoes review every four years.
The new NAP was expected to be implemented from 2024.
A proposed document for 2026-29 was published for consultation last year but was criticized by farmers as being out of touch.
Subsequently, a "task and finish" group was established to review the proposals.
Representatives from the agri-food industry agreed to participate in producing a revised document, which will be subject to further consultation before submission to the Executive for approval.
The revised proposals are anticipated to be published in 2026.
