Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what steps his department is taking to prevent the occurence of blue-green algae blooms in Lough Neagh.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: There are no quick fixes to the occurrence and probable re-occurrence of blue green algal (BGA) blooms at Lough Neagh. This is a problem that has been decades in the making and it could take decades to resolve.
However, I am pleased to confirm that action on the ground has already commenced. For example, my Department, through its College for Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), is delivering programmes for farmers / land managers at various levels targeted towards Lough Neagh catchment areas. Work on a Small Business Research Initiative scheme to identify viable technical solutions to deal with the immediate effects of BGA within the Lough will also commence shortly.
Looking to longer term solutions, my Department has established a cross- departmental Water Quality Steering Group (WQSG) which is currently finalising a draft report with a set of evidenced-based recommendations to tackle BGA and secure longer-term improvements in water quality across Northern Ireland.
Although I expect to bring these recommendations to the Executive for discussion and consideration shortly, I would stress that Lough Neagh cannot be seen in isolation from the natural environment more generally and we cannot tackle its problems in isolation either.
I look forward to working with the Executive, the Assembly and indeed all stakeholders in finding solutions to address this complex issue.
ENDS
Your MLA 