NEWS

Preliminary test results released by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) have revealed the suspected presence of Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) in a further 44 cattle within a Co Down herd, following the confirmation of two initial cases last week. The findings relate to a holding near Bangor, situated within the 20km Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) introduced on Saturday 29 November. DAERA has stressed that while Bluetongue poses no risk to human heal

Ulster Unionist Agriculture Spokesperson and Chair of the Stormont Agriculture Committee, Robbie Butler MLA , has warned that a suspected case of Bluetongue in Co Down marks a “deeply worrying development” for Northern Ireland’s farming community. His comments follow confirmation that DAERA officials are investigating the presence of Bluetongue virus in two cows at a holding near Bangor. A 20km Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is now in force, restricting the movement of suscept

DAERA vets are investigating a suspected case of Bluetongue virus at a livestock holding near Bangor, Co Down, prompting urgent disease control measures and the introduction of a 20km Temporary Control Zone (TCZ). The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) confirmed that results from its active Bluetongue surveillance programme “indicated the presence of the disease in two cows”. Officials have now implemented what they describe as “robust disease co

The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) has issued a stark warning that Northern Ireland’s fishing industry is facing an existential crisis, following new scientific advice recommending dramatic quota cuts for key species in 2026. Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday, November 18, TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said the fishing sector was “standing on the edge of a cliff” and called for “swift and decisive intervention” to prevent the collapse of what he described as “

Belfast Harbour Secretary of State Hilary Benn has praised a landmark £100 million offshore wind investment during a visit to Belfast Harbour, where two of the largest planned wind farms in the Irish Sea are set to be assembled. The visit comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced at COP30 that the project could create more than 300 jobs, following the major agreement by joint venture partners JERA Nex bp and EnBW to lease Belfast Harbour’s offshore wind terminal.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced new legislation that will ban the sale and supply of wet wipes containing plastic in Northern Ireland, as part of a coordinated UK-wide approach to tackling plastic pollution. The regulations — which include limited exemptions for business-to-business supply and medical use — will take effect in May 2027, following an 18-month transition period. This will allow retailers time to clear existing

Giants Causeway, part of the Antrim Lava Group. (Image: Professor Stuart Gilfillan from our School of GeoSciences at the University of Edinburgh) Ancient volcanic rocks beneath County Antrim – the same basalt that forms the iconic columns of the Giant’s Causeway – could become a cornerstone of future climate action, with scientists revealing they could permanently store more carbon dioxide than any other site in the UK. A new study led by the University of Edinburgh has ident

The Met Office has issued a further tellow weather warning for snow and ice across all six counties of Northern Ireland as wintry showers are expected to intensify from Wednesday evening into Thursday morning. The alert will be in place from 17:00 on Wednesday 19 November 2025 until 12:00 on Thursday 20 November 2025, covering County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Fermanagh, County Londonderry, and County Tyrone. Forecasters warn that the combination of falling te

The Met Office has issued a Yellow weather warning for snow and ice across all six counties of Northern Ireland, with forecasters cautioning of “wintry showers on Tuesday night into Wednesday” that “will bring some icy patches and lying snow in places, leading to possible travel delays.” The warning is in force from 00:00 to 12:00 on Wednesday 19 November 2025, affecting County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Fermanagh, County Londonderry and County Tyrone. Accor

NewPower, the repowering division launched by Ballymena-based zero-emission bus manufacturer Wrightbus in 2024, has announced a groundbreaking EV-to-EV Repower agreement with leading operator Metroline. The deal marks the first time NewPower will upgrade an existing electric fleet with state-of-the-art EV technology, positioning the company at the forefront of Europe’s transition to greener public transport. Under the contract, 28 Metrodecker electric buses—previously hindere

Lapwing nest in the Antrim Hills The 2025 breeding season has delivered a significant boost for some of Northern Ireland’s most threatened wading birds, thanks to a close partnership between RSPB NI, local farmers and landowners across the Antrim Hills. RSPB NI staff and volunteers have spent recent months surveying, protecting and monitoring key species across a number of sites, working hand-in-hand with the agricultural community to improve habitat conditions and give vulne

Lough Neagh, County Antrim Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Economic Development Committee has deferred a decision on acting as a site host for The Gateway Project, a new initiative developed to support early detection of blue-green algae bloom in Lough Neagh. A report was presented to a meeting of the committee at Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey, on Tuesday evening. Members were told that Helix8 Ltd, a Larne-based technology company, has secured funding under the Belfast

A puffin makes history on the Isle of Muck Nature Reserve, off Islandmagee – the first to nest here in Ulster Wildlife’s 25 years of managing this seabird sanctuary. (Images & Video: Ronald Surgenor) For the first time in a quarter of a century, puffins have been recorded nesting on Ulster Wildlife’s Isle of Muck Nature Reserve, off Islandmagee in Co. Antrim — marking a significant milestone for seabird recovery in Northern Ireland. The discovery, made during routine surveys

Image: Anne Kelly A yellow weather warning has been issued for parts of Northern Ireland as Storm Claudia is set to bring persistent heavy rain and possible flooding from Friday evening into Saturday afternoon. The Met Office warning, in place between 00:00 and 12:00 (UTC) on Saturday 15 November 2025, affects County Down and County Armagh , where forecasters expect some of the most severe impacts. Storm Claudia, previously named by the Spanish Meteorological Service, will p

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is set to explore the possibility of using silent fireworks or drone shows during future celebrations in the borough. At November’s Environmental Services Committee meeting, members agreed that potential changes to council-organised firework displays should be discussed at a future meeting of the Leisure and Development Committee. TUV Councillor Jonathan McAuley said he had received correspondence from several constituents in the week

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain across Northern Ireland on Tuesday 11 November 2025, with forecasters warning of travel disruption and localised flooding throughout the day. The warning is in place from 06:00 to 21:00 (UTC) and covers the entire region, as a band of persistent and at times heavy rain is expected to move in early Tuesday morning. According to the Met Office , “a spell of persistent rain is expected to arrive across Northern Ireland

North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland has praised Ballycastle bathing waters as they have once again achieved the highest possible rating for water quality.  Environment Minister Andrew Muir has announced the 2025 bathing water classification results, revealing that Ballycastle Beach has once again achieved the highest possible rating for water quality. The annual assessment, published by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), confirms that Ballycast

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has voiced disappointment after the UK Government blocked a proposed amendment that would have required new homes to include swift bricks – small, low-cost nesting spaces designed to help protect and restore the UK’s declining swift population. The amendment, known as the ‘swift brick amendment’ , was debated in Westminster on Monday night and would have applied to new homes in England and Wales that are more than five metres in height. However,

Mandatory housing measures for all kept birds and poultry will come into force across Northern Ireland from 00:01 on Thursday, 6 November 2025 , as part of new efforts to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced that the new Housing Order will require all bird keepers — including pet bird owners, commercial operators, and those with backyard or hobby flocks — to keep thei

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has called for agreement to establish an independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Northern Ireland, following the publication of an expert panel report recommending stronger, more accountable environmental governance. Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Minister Muir outlined plans for the creation of a non-departmental public body (NDPB) under the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affair