Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail any recent steps his Department has taken to halt and reverse species decline.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: My Department is taking forward a range of actions through the Environmental Improvement Plan which will directly benefit the recovery of habitats and species. The DAERA-administered Environment Fund supports species projects delivered by eNGOs.
NIEA participates in the Northern Ireland Species Recovery Partnership, a consortium primarily of eNGOs, which aims to enhance the conservation and drive the recovery of declining species in Northern Ireland. The partnership has ambitious plans to make meaningful improvement to the status of priority species and the habitats they rely on.
The Department supports delivery of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan which aims to halt pollinator species declines across the island and recovery of rare pollinator populations such as Northern Collettes bee and Forester moth. During the 2021-2025 plan period 186 actions were delivered around 3 themes; increasing food availability and ensuring safe nesting areas and reducing the use of harmful pesticides.
The 2026-2030 plan, due to be launched next month, has received significant Shared Island funding to build on these actions, working with a wide range of partners to deliver 10 work area modules.
ENDS
Your MLA 