AQO 3870/22-27


Ms Sian Mulholland
Alliance Party
North Antrim


Tabled Date: 01/09/2026
Answered On Date: 08/09/2026
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to outline any actions being taken to tackle environmental crime.


Answer:
I am committed to the deterrence, detection, investigation, and support for prosecution of environmental crime, to see better compliance with environmental legislation and thereby safeguarding our natural resources.
To that end, officials in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s (NIEA) Environmental Crime Unit (ECU) investigate and prosecute serious waste crimes in Northern Ireland.
To strengthen its enforcement capability, the ECU is undertaking the recruitment of specialist personnel and investing in the delivery of targeted training to ensure the consistent application of best practice.
However, collaboration across organisations is key in this area as a multi-agency approach remains central to tackling illegal waste activity. NIEA collaborates extensively with partner agencies to enhance communication, streamline coordination, and facilitate the exchange of information. By working together, partners can share information and resources more effectively, enabling swift, streamlined and coordinated action when investigating criminal waste operations and related illegal activities.
My officials are currently reviewing the Department’s Enforcement Policy to ensure that it remains proportionate, effective and responsive to current needs. This policy is central in supporting consistent decision-making and maintaining public confidence in the Department’s enforcement approach.
As part of the Lough Neagh Action plan a Water Quality Campaign will launch on 21 September 2026. The campaign will focus on raising awareness and encouraging behavioural change among the general public through a coordinated programme of media and communications activity.
As part of the campaign, reporting incidents of water pollution is one of the three mini campaigns which encourages public members to report what they see, with clear guidance on what is an emergency.
The Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill which I introduced in the Assembly on 22 June 2026, will increase the maximum penalties associated with offences impacting the water environment.  This will provide for consistent penalties across a range of legislation to ensure that no matter the source of pollution, an appropriate penalty is fairly applied, and polluters are held to account.
Finally, I welcome the progression of the The Justice Bill with proposals to introduce new offences relating to directing and participating in organised crime, which are likely to be applicable to tackling environmental crime.