Opposing Plans for the Nutrients Action Programme 2026-2029 - Amendment 2
Leave out all after ‘Northern Ireland;’ and insert:
“including, but not limited to, pollution arising from agricultural activity and underinvestment in wastewater treatment infrastructure; acknowledges the significant concerns within the farming and agri-food sectors about proposals in the current consultation on the Nutrients Action Programme 2026–2029, particularly around stricter phosphorus limits, compulsory use of low-emission slurry spreading equipment, and mandatory uncultivated buffer strips; believes that, without appropriate support, flexibility and fairness, these proposals risk undermining farm viability, driving up costs, and threatening domestic food production; notes concerns about limited stakeholder engagement and the lack of an economic impact assessment; further believes that effective nutrient management must be grounded in evidence, designed in partnership with those affected, and informed by scientific best practice and environmental recovery models; calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to withdraw the current consultation and allow for the development of a revised, collaborative, multi-sector and multi-agency approach that can deliver both improved water quality and a sustainable future for agriculture; and further calls on the Minister to work jointly with the Minister for Infrastructure to tackle pollution linked to outdated wastewater systems, as part of a joined-up effort to restore and protect Northern Ireland’s waterways.’
2
Private Members' Motion
06/06/2025