AQW 17966/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 26/04/2021
Answered On Date: 10/05/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, in development of an Outdoor Recreation Strategy, will he place an emphasis on the public to enjoy outdoor spaces responsibly.

Answer:

I am on record regarding the importance that is placed on each one of us to treat the outdoors with respect whether in relation to the natural environment or the land upon which we walk. My Department will continue to provide advice and guidance.

My Department chairs the cross-government Strategic Outdoor Recreation Group to oversee implementation of The Outdoor Recreation Action Plan for Northern Ireland. This includes Communication, Marketing and Promotion to participants and visitors of where they can visit and how to behave responsibly.

With the growth of outdoor recreation during Covid 19 my Department has encouraged greater awareness of these messages including through the MyNI Get Into Nature campaign and the current Right Side of Outside Campaign.