Environment

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has introduced the Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill to the Northern Ireland Assembly, marking the first major overhaul of fisheries legislation in six decades. The Bill, which received its first reading on Monday 22 June 2026, aims to replace the outdated Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) […]

The first payments under Northern Ireland’s new Farming with Nature Transition Scheme have begun issuing to farmers, marking a milestone for the region’s efforts to reverse biodiversity decline while maintaining food production. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir confirmed that £2.7 million is being distributed to 489 participants who completed environmental works

The first payments under Northern Ireland’s new Farming with Nature Transition Scheme have begun issuing to farmers, marking a significant milestone in the region’s efforts to reverse biodiversity decline. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir confirmed today that £2.7 million is being released to 489 farm businesses who completed environmental works by

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has opened applications for the Marine Environment and Fisheries Fund (MEFF), offering £3.05 million in grants to support Northern Ireland’s fishing industry, aquaculture businesses and marine stakeholders. The funding, available until 31 March 2027, aims to boost decarbonisation efforts, restore blue carbon habitats and strengthen economic

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has launched a ten-year strategy to halt the decline of Northern Ireland’s seabird populations, which have dropped by over 60 per cent in the last two decades. The Northern Ireland Seabird Conservation Strategy 2026-2035 sets out a coordinated response to protect 30 priority species facing unprecedented

A new digital tool designed to speed up planning decisions while protecting Northern Ireland’s most sensitive habitats has been launched as a UK-first pilot. The “Get an air pollution assessment” service, developed as the UK Air Pollution Assessment Service (UK APAS), allows developers and planners to model how much ammonia

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced substantial changes to the rules governing prohibited dog breeds in Northern Ireland, removing the mandatory insurance requirement for exempted animals while introducing new legal obligations to protect children from potentially dangerous encounters in domestic settings. From 1 July 2026,

Individuals with deep connections to Northern Ireland’s agriculture, marine science and food production sectors have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026, with DAERA Minister Andrew Muir leading tributes to their decades of public service and innovation. The recipients include current and former senior officials from the Department

All 40 public bodies required to report under Northern Ireland’s new climate change regulations have completed their first statutory reporting cycle, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) confirmed. The milestone was marked at an event at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, on 11 June 2026, where representatives from councils,

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has published its long-awaited response to an independent review of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), retaining the organisation’s current structure while promising tighter governance and closer ministerial oversight. The decision follows a turbulent period for the scientific body, which faced