Tackling the pollution crisis threatening Northern Ireland’s waterways and freshwater habitats
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Our waterways and freshwater habitats are facing ongoing and severe degradation due to persistent pollution. Countless reports underscore the gravity of the issue [i]. And tragically, Lough Neagh stands as a stark example of the devastating impact of this pollution, and the systemic failures that allowed such an ecological disaster to unfold. Water quality and freshwater habitats are never going to improve unless we see urgent systemic action.
The NAP proposes several measures to address nutrient pollution from farming and food production. Nutrient pollution refers to the excessive presence of nitrogen and phosphorus in water, from sources such as slurry spreading and fertiliser use on fields. This can lead to harmful algal blooms, dead zones in water bodies, fish kills and ecosystem damage – it can also pose a threat to human and animal health [ii].
The UK Food Security Report 2024 highlighted biodiversity loss and water insecurity as pressing risks to food security [iii]. Nature underpins the very fabric of our food production. We need healthy ecosystems and clean water to grow food. Nutrient pollution undermines this, threatening both nature and farming - therefore action is critical for the resilience of both.
But that action must come in the form of urgent investment to meet the scale of need. Independent economic analysis highlights that current agricultural budgets fall far short of what is needed for our agricultural sector to help tackle the nature and climate crisis and improve the resilience of our farming and food production [iv].
If the NI Executive is serious about tackling the pollution of our waterways, and address the agricultural contribution to this, they have to look at investment to meet this scale of need. We need well-funded long-term agri-environment schemes; capital investment measures to assist farmers in implementing sustainable practices; investment in nature-based interventions to tackle pollution at source; and a strong programme of advice and support for farmers. Actions must be matched by investment with clear incentives to support farmers in a just transition to more sustainable and nature-friendly farming.
We also stress that agriculture alone cannot carry the burden. Significant investment in sewage and wastewater infrastructure is urgently needed to address parallel nutrient pollution from urban and industrial sources. The nutrient crisis in our waterways will not be solved without joined-up action across sectors.
The NAP consultation gives all sectors the opportunity to put forward their views, and RSPB NI will be submitting a response to the consultation. You can find more details and how to respond to the consultation here.
