UFU Aims for New Nutrients Action Programme in Northern Ireland by 2026
The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) aims to implement a new Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) for Northern Ireland by 2026. Deputy president John McLenaghan stated that this NAP will not be a rehash of previous proposals.
The original NAP included 40 proposals, and the UFU emphasizes the need for thorough stakeholder engagement before public consultation. McLenaghan highlighted the importance of addressing NAP, planning, and ammonia emissions as interconnected issues.
He stressed that realistic planning procedures should be prioritized, and the UFU will not endorse a new NAP until it meets farmers' future needs. McLenaghan also noted a shift in societal perception regarding agriculture's role in environmental issues, referencing the Lough Neagh algal bloom crisis.
