(AGENPARL) - Roma, 29 Giugno 2026 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND RURAL AFFAIRS
29 June 2026
Minister Muir launches public consultation on stakeholder group's NAP proposals
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has today launched a public consultation based on a stakeholder group's proposals to reduce nutrient pollution from farming and improve water quality.
Following their public launch earlier today, a 10-week consultation has now begun on the proposals to improve water quality, so that further feedback can be obtained.
DAERA is also addressing other significant sources of pollution, such as wastewater and urban drainage, through separate programmes and legislation within its remit.
Welcoming the NAP Stakeholder Task and Finish Group's proposals, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: "The revised NAP is critical to securing our shared vision for a thriving, resilient and environmentally sustainable future for our agricultural sector. I want to put on record my appreciation for the many hours Karen Brosnan and the entire group invested to reach an agreed solution. Their efforts have been instrumental in delivering proposals that will deliver improved water quality, whilst working for the farms on the ground.
"I am pleased to now launch a public consultation on the Task and Finish Group's NAP proposals and encourage everyone with an interest to read the proposals in full and take part in the public consultation. All measures have been carefully considered and are firmly embedded in science and evidence.
"Through this process, our agricultural sector has again shown its willingness to work with environmental organisations and rise to the challenges posed by poor water quality. I know that the majority of our farmers are already taking positive steps to manage nutrients more efficiently and to protect the environment.
"However, if we are to address the issues at Lough Neagh and elsewhere, we need to tackle all sources of nutrient pollution. I will not be found wanting in terms of regulation of wastewater, but we need collective endeavour across government to deliver good water quality."
The NAP Task and Finish Group was supported by a number of subgroups with the aim of ensuring that the proposals were informed by scientific evidence, will meet legal obligations but were also workable at farm level.
The 3,400 responses received by DAERA in the Department's 2025 public consultation on NAP were also considered by Task and Finish Group, with the feedback helping shape the new proposals.
The NAP Task and Finish group's proposals and all consultation documents can be accessed here –
The deadline for submissions in the public consultation will be 23.59 hours on Monday 7 September 2026.
Following consideration of the consultation responses, the Minister intends to seek Executive approval for the revised NAP proposals and complete the necessary Committee and Assembly processes so that they can be implemented within this mandate.
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