Speaking in the Assembly on Tuesday, Agriculture and Environment Minister Andrew Muir outlined and gave the go-ahead for a number of actions which fall within his department. Last year the Lough, which supplies an estimated 40 per cent of Northern Ireland’s drinking water, turned green due to unprecedented levels of blue-green algae. Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to NorthernIrelandWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.
There are also signs that the algae has returned this year prompting fresh calls for action The action plan includes a research initiative as well as a tree-planting project and programmes aimed at supporting farmers and slurry spreaders. Mr Muir said that four main action groups - education, incentivisation, regulation and enforcement - were key to tackling the issues at the lough. The Minister stressed that significant investment was needed to address the issues, and said £6m would be allocated in both resources and capital investment.
Advertisement Advertisement He told MLAs that the “issues and challenges” facing the Lough would not be resolved overnight, but early intervention would ensure they did not become worse. Mr Muir said he was seeking further meetings with the owner of the Lough, the Earl of Shaftesbury. The Minister said his personal preference for the future of the Lough was for community ownership.
He added he was doing all that he can do, but some of the actions u.
