22 May 2025
SDLP Opposition AERA Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA has said that any new nutrients proposals must be matched with real support for farmers.
Speaking in response to the new Nutrients Action Programme proposals, McGlone said:
“As an elected representative committed to both environmental sustainability and rural prosperity, I welcome the intentions behind the updated Nutrients Action Programme and the need to address the serious challenge of water quality in Northern Ireland. Protecting our natural environment - our rivers, lakes, and ecosystems - is a shared responsibility, and I recognise the vital role agriculture must play in this effort.
“However, there is a need to recognise that our farming community, who are the backbone of our rural economy and culture, are not the problem - they are part of the solution. If we are to meet targets set out in the Nutrients Action Programme, we must do so in partnership with those who work the land every day.
“As I raised on the Assembly floor again this week, farmers need to be provided with the necessary support, resources, and clarity if we expect them to meet new environmental demands. It is not enough to impose stricter rules; we must also provide meaningful assistance and clear incentives to help our farmers transition to more sustainable practices.
“The Irish Government has already introduced a range of targeted supports and incentives to help their farming sector adapt to similar changes, including funding for low emission slurry spreading, farm advisory services, and technology upgrades. We need to see comparable action here in Northern Ireland to ensure our farmers are not left behind.
“I am therefore calling on the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to match regulation with investment. This includes increased financial support to guide farmers through changing nutrient management plans. We also need a realistic lead-in time for implementing new requirements, allowing for proper planning and adjustment.
“We cannot allow environmental policy to become a blunt instrument that undermines the very communities we rely on to safeguard the future of our land. A balanced, practical approach is needed. We need an approach that reflects our shared ambition for a cleaner environment and a thriving agri-food sector.
“The SDLP will continue to engage with both DAERA and representatives from the farming community to ensure that the voices of rural Northern Ireland are heard and respected as this process moves forward.”