AQW 40706/22-27

Miss Michelle McIlveen
Democratic Unionist Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 16/02/2026
Answered On Date: 03/03/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether he will bring forward proposals that balance environmental protection obligations with the operational needs faced by the agricultural sector, during extreme weather events.

Answer:

The Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) aims to improve water quality and protect the environment by reducing nutrient pollution from agricultural sources.

To support the fourth review of the Programme, I have established a NAP Stakeholder Task and Finish Group. This Group is comprised of representatives from farming, agri-food, environmental groups and the Department and has been asked to propose measures and actions that will meet legal requirements, are evidence based and workable at farm level within realistic timeframes in a way that balances environmental protection and agricultural sector needs, for my consideration.

The NAP Regulations have included provisions relating to slurry spreading and adverse weather conditions since 2007 and are based on the Code of Good Agricultural Practice and are underpinned by science, including agronomy.

Increasingly frequent and intense rainfall highlights the need to ensure that the NAP remains effective and to support resilience within the agricultural sector.

The Sustainable Agriculture Programme is a strong example of climate adaptation action being progressed by my department, as we work with and support our agricultural sector to be more resilient to the more frequent and severe impacts brought by climate change.