Lough Neagh Partnership welcomes Minister's vision for Lough Neagh

Report and action plan viewed as a crucial step in addressing the devastating ecological crisis facing Lough Neagh

Lough Neagh Partnership has expressed strong support for the announcement of the publication of The Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan by Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA, subject to Northern Ireland Executive approval.

With the visible impact of toxic blue green algae once again surfacing on the shoreline and across the UK and Ireland’s largest freshwater lake, the Lough Neagh Partnership views this report and action plan as a crucial step in addressing the devastating ecological crisis facing Lough Neagh.

Strategic Manager of Lough Neagh Partnership, Gerry Darby, has consistently advocated for prioritising the issues affecting Lough Neagh and its shoreline and he is encouraged by the announcement.

Gerry Darby, Strategic Manager of Lough Neagh Partnership, said: “The Lough Neagh Partnership welcomes the announcement by Minister Muir that The Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan will be delivered with a common sense approach.

“Whilst we all know that there is no quick-fix to improving water quality in Lough Neagh, we are pleased that the report contains four pillars of action to address the issues of water quality on the Lough including education, incentivisation, regulation and enforcement.

“We feared that there had been much talk about and reporting on the potential plan, with little else being achieved, however, we are very pleased that Minister Muir has been true to his word in developing The Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan which, if approved, brings real and meaningful short and long-term solutions to the table.

“Specifically in relation to the Resilience Project being undertaken by Lough Neagh Partnership, we welcome the announcement by Minister Muir that he plans to actively engage in the initiative and that he is committed to discussions with The Earl of Shaftesbury regarding the ownership of the Lough.

“I would commend Minister Muir and his Department for their determination in focusing on the sustainability of Lough Neagh. This plan’s goals are attuned with the strategic aims of Lough Neagh Partnership and we would appeal to the Northern Ireland Executive to approve the plan before summer recess, as we look forward to supporting delivery of the plan once approved.”

For information on the work of Lough Neagh Partnership, please visit: www.loughneaghpartnership.org