Farmers who commit to new environmental programmes could benefit from fewer inspections aimed at tackling water pollution from agricultural sources. These proposals are part of the latest draft Nutrient Action Programme (NAP) 2027-2030, which has been released for public consultation. The previous iteration of the NAP, launched last year, drew significant criticism from the farming community, with many describing it as out of touch with practical farming realities.
In response to the widespread concerns, a dedicated task-and-finish group was established, comprising over 70 farmers, scientists, environmentalists, and agri-food representatives. Chaired by management consultant Karen Brosnan, this diverse group reviewed feedback from the initial consultation and has now agreed upon a significantly revised document. The NAP undergoes a review every four years, and this latest version is already overdue, highlighting the complexity and importance of the issues at hand.
A key proposed change is the introduction of the Nutrient Stewardship Programme (NSP), which would replace the current derogation system. Under the NSP, more intensive farmers could sign up for the programme and, in return for their compliance with nutrient management standards, would face fewer inspections. This new approach aims to provide multiple pathways for farmers to meet their environmental obligations without compromising their production levels. John McLenaghan, President of the Ulster Farmers' Union, who was involved in the co-design process, noted that the new document is "unrecognisable" from its predecessor, emphasising its focus on practical, workable measures that support both productivity and environmental improvement, particularly water quality.
Louise Skelly, a County Down sheep farmer and chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network in Northern Ireland, welcomed the changes, suggesting that farmers in the NSP would be highly focused on effective nutrient management. However, she also expressed a desire for increased regulation for the minority of farmers who are not compliant, arguing that their actions can unfairly tarnish the reputation of the wider farming community. This sentiment underscores a broader desire within the sector for targeted enforcement that distinguishes between compliant and non-compliant operators.
The 10-week public consultation on the draft NAP began today, 12 July 2026, and will conclude on 7 September 2026. Following this period, all responses will be carefully considered, and executive approval will be sought for the revised proposals, with the aim of implementing them within the current Assembly mandate. Andrew Muir, the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, has stressed the critical importance of the revised NAP in enhancing water quality and fostering a "thriving, resilient and environmentally sustainable future" for the agricultural sector, asserting that all measures are grounded in scientific evidence.