Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what steps the NI Environment Agency is taking to prevent the occurence of blue-green algae blooms in Lough Neagh.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: I have no doubt that the member is aware that there are no quick fixes to the occurrence and probable reccurrence of blue green algal blooms in Lough Neagh. This is a problem that has been decades in the making and it could take decades to restore.
A DAERA-led cross departmental Water Quality Steering Group has been tasked with producing a report of evidence-informed recommendations on the actions required to secure longer term improvements in water quality. Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) officials have submitted recommendations which will form part of the that report.
An Interagency Monitoring group has also been established and NIEA is currently developing protocols for monitoring and response should there be a repeat of the blooms in subsequent years.
NIEA officials have also contributed to the Department’s CAFRE’s recent farm training events on slurry management.
ENDS
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