A long-standing issue of excess phosphorus run off from farms is as a key contributing factor to the algal blooms.\ Donal O'Leary
ADVERTISEMENT
DAERA is to review rules around slurry and fertiliser use on local farms in response to algal blooms in Lough Neagh and other waterbodies in NI.
Senior DAERA official Dave Foster told reporters last week that a steering group is being set up to look at policies related to nutrient management on farms.
“The Nutrient Action Programme is one of those policies where we need to take another look to determine if what is in there currently is sufficient in the context of what has been happening in Lough Neagh and elsewhere this year,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Requirements
Foster did not give details of what specific rules would be under review, although he suggested stricter requirements would be needed in some areas in the future.
“Obviously what has happened in Lough Neagh tells us there is more that needs to be done,” he said.
Various factors have led to the unprecedented growth of blue-green algae in Lough Neagh and other waterbodies this year.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
DAERA is to review rules around slurry and fertiliser use on local farms in response to algal blooms in Lough Neagh and other waterbodies in NI.
Senior DAERA official Dave Foster told reporters last week that a steering group is being set up to look at policies related to nutrient management on farms.
“The Nutrient Action Programme is one of those policies where we need to take another look to determine if what is in there currently is sufficient in the context of what has been happening in Lough Neagh and elsewhere this year,” he said.
Requirements
Foster did not give details of what specific rules would be under review, although he suggested stricter requirements would be needed in some areas in the future.
“Obviously what has happened in Lough Neagh tells us there is more that needs to be done,” he said.
Various factors have led to the unprecedented growth of blue-green algae in Lough Neagh and other waterbodies this year.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS