A 37-point plan approved by the NI Executive to tackle ongoing issues at Lough Neagh shows a “lack of understanding”, an environmental campaigner has said.
The action plan, produced by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera), was given the green light by minister Andrew Muir’s Executive colleagues on Wednesday.
Mr Muir had developed the action plan in order to deal with the environmental issues at the lough and had been waiting on sign-off from the Executive on 17 of the 37 actions.
‘This continues to be an environmental disaster’ – Chair of Lough Neagh Partnership
Among its plans are a number of reviews and consultations, including a review of pollution penalties and a paid research initiative to investigate solutions to the blue-green algae problem on Lough Neagh.
The blooms of cyanobacteria are exacerbated by excess nutrient content in the water from agricultural and waste run-off, combined with rising temperatures and periods of wet weather.
Last year, the lough was plagued with outbreaks, while there have been significant blooms reported over the past few weeks.
Friends of the Earth NI director James Orr (Pic: Peter Morrison)
Friends of the Earth NI director James Orr said some of the actions in the plan are “commendable”, but the lack of clarity on an independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was a concern.
“There are some commendable actions but there is too much focus on reviews, meetings and scoping options,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
“The lough has been transformed into a dead zone and the recovery plan should, in turn, be transformational.
“There is nothing in the plan about investing in sewage agriculture and supporting the transition from intensive agriculture to more regenerative farming. Neither is there a clear timetable to deliver an independent EPA.
“The absence of a timetable and even a commitment to an independent EPA is a sad reflection of the Executive’s lack of understanding of what needs to happen to enable the long-term recovery of the lough.”
Among the planned actions is a commitment to a “streamlined and more effective penalty regime” to act as a deterrent against pollution incidents, which are understood to contribute highly to the issues facing the lough.
Mr Muir said earlier this year that he intended to reverse a decision taken by his predecessor Edwin Poots to cap penalties for agricultural pollution at 15% for repeat offences.
Daera Minister Andrew Muir (Pic: Jonathan Porter/Press Eye)
A small business research initiative to investigate feasible and affordable solutions to reduce blue-green algae blooms when they occur is also included in the plan.
Daera Minister Muir said the plan was a “significant step” in helping to rehabilitate Lough Neagh.
“The action plan is not a wish list — it is a detailed, science-led, proportionate and ambitious set of actions that will make a tangible difference to our waterways,” he said.
“I must be clear, however, that there are no quick fixes. It will take many years, if not decades, to see substantial recovery, such is the depth and complexity of the problem.
“The Lough Neagh report also complements and supports the actions and targets in the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) and I will continue to work with Executive colleagues to obtain approval for the EIP.
“I welcome and am grateful to my Executive colleagues for supporting the plan I presented and [for] recognising Lough Neagh as a priority.”