NEWS

The Garron Plateau, part of the Antrim Hills. (Image: GOA Insta) North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has warned that more must be done to protect the North Antrim Hills from the threat of wildfires this summer, arguing current measures are not enough as dry conditions increase concern across Northern Ireland. The DUP representative raised the issue directly with Andrew Muir, questioning what action the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is taking to reduc

The CAFRE Innovation Visit to the Netherlands will focus on genotyping, breeding evaluations and breeding technologies in dairy cows. Northern Ireland dairy farmers are being offered a rare opportunity to see some of the world’s most advanced breeding and genotyping technology in action as CAFRE launches applications for a specialist innovation visit to the Netherlands. The three-day study tour, taking place from Monday 31 August to Wednesday 2 September 2026, will place loca

Northern Ireland’s poultry sector will see all remaining bird flu restrictions lifted from just after midnight on Friday, marking the end of months of mandatory disease control measures introduced to protect flocks across the region. The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), which has been in force since 1 November 2025, will officially end at 00:01 on Friday 15 May 2026 alongside the ban on poultry gatherings. The move means poultry shows, bird gatherings and related event

Northern Ireland’s leading companion animal welfare organisations have backed sweeping proposed changes to dog breeding laws, saying the reforms could help crack down on low-welfare breeding practices and raise standards across the industry. The Northern Ireland Companion Animal Welfare Group (NICAWG) has welcomed the findings of DAERA’s independent Expert Advisory Group Breeding Review, published on Friday, May 8, describing the recommendations as a major opportunity to stre

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir pictured with Expert Advisory Group members (L-R) Susan Cunningham, Professor Gareth Arnott and Vanessa Barnes. Recommendations aimed at dramatically strengthening dog breeding welfare standards in Northern Ireland have been handed to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), paving the way for what could become the most significant overhaul of breeding regulations in years. An independent Expert Advisory Group has comple

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir launches major animal welfare reform consultation for Northern Ireland Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir has launched a major public consultation on new animal welfare reforms in Northern Ireland, including proposals to regulate rescue and rehoming organisations, tighten dog microchipping rules, ban certain training devices, and increase dog licence fees. The consultation mar

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and DAERA Minister Andrew Muir pictured with Firefighter Ray Glynn, Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Marcus Wright, Watch Commander Michaela Corr and Crew Commander Sheena McKieverigan from NIFRS. A major emergency response has been triggered across Northern Ireland after a series of wildfires tore through the Mourne Mountains and other areas, destroying vast stretches of land, threatening homes and placing intense pressure on frontline servi

Poultry keepers across Northern Ireland will be allowed to let their birds outside again from next week, after Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir confirmed the lifting of compulsory housing measures introduced to curb the spread of avian influenza. The restrictions, which have been in place since 6 November 2025, will be lifted from 00:01 on Tuesday 5 May 2026, marking a significant shift in disease control measures following months of heightened vigilance across the sector. Th

Fire crews are set to remain on the ground in the Mourne Mountains throughout the week as Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) confirmed around 95 firefighters are tackling ongoing wildfires — with a government minister warning the destruction is “soul destroying” and poses a real risk to lives and communities. The large-scale emergency response continues to focus on two major incidents at Ballagh Road in Newcastle and Sandbank Road in Hilltown, where fires that i

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir announce £8.32m to transform 243 community facilities across Northern Ireland. A major £8.32 million funding package has been confirmed to upgrade 243 community buildings across Northern Ireland, with projects set to begin rolling out from May 2026 following overwhelming demand from local groups. The investment, delivered through the Northern Ireland Community Infrastruct

A animal snare discovered at a riverside location where otters were found Northern Ireland is set to remain the only part of the UK without movement towards a ban on animal snares during the current Assembly mandate, after the Agriculture Minister confirmed there are no plans to bring forward legislation on the issue. The confirmation has prompted sharp criticism from South Antrim MP Robin Swann, who said the decision leaves Northern Ireland lagging behind the rest of the UK

Dairy farmers across Northern Ireland are being urged to return to basics and refocus on grass and grazing as falling milk prices and rising costs begin to squeeze farm incomes in 2026. Despite a strong performance last year, experts warn that the early months of this year have already exposed vulnerabilities in farm profitability — with challenging weather and market uncertainty testing the resilience of producers. Conail Keown, Senior Dairy Adviser at the College of Agricul

Manage tyre pressure and axle loads when carrying out field operations. Farmers across Northern Ireland are being warned that decisions made in the coming weeks could have lasting consequences for crop yields, grazing performance, and long-term soil health—after one of the wettest winters in recent memory left land in a vulnerable state. According to the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise, many soils are entering spring “fragile” and at risk of damage, despite

The newly discovered seagrass (known as eelgrass) meadow – Zostera marina A remarkable environmental discovery has been made in Northern Ireland’s waters, as a previously unrecorded seagrass meadow has been identified in Strangford Lough — offering fresh hope for climate action and marine conservation. The find was made by Queen’s University Belfast PhD student Rebekah Bajkó , who used innovative technology from DAERA’s Coastal Observatory to spot unusual patterns beneath the

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir pictured with PSNI Superintendent Chris Hamill and NIFRS Area Commander Ryan Thompson as the department and agencies issue a reminder about wildfire season. A stark warning has been issued to the public as authorities move to a default ‘Yellow’ wildfire risk across Northern Ireland, with officials urging vigilance to prevent a repeat of last year’s devastating blazes. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ire

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir speaking to more than 200 international guests at a St Patrick’s Day networking event in Brussels Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector has a “huge advantage” thanks to its dual access to both European Union and Great Britain markets, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has said during a high-profile visit to Brussels. Speaking to more than 200 international guests at a St Patrick’s Day networking event, the Minister positioned Northern Ireland as uniquely p

Gary Hegarty, owner of Mindful Gardens reflects on the benefits of changing his career and returning to education by studying Horticulture at CAFRE Greenmount Campus. After nearly two decades designing sports pages for a national newspaper, Gary Hegarty found himself facing a turning point — one shaped by rapid technological change and a growing desire to work closer to the natural world. Today, he runs his own garden design business, Mindful Gardens. But the path from newsr

Northern Ireland’s approach to water pollution could be about to change in a way many will see as long overdue. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has announced plans to end a 2007 administrative arrangement that has constrained enforcement action against Northern Ireland Water — a move designed to put the public utility on the same regulatory footing as farmers, private businesses and industry. For years, agriculture has borne the brunt of public and political criticism over water

Announcing the closing date for the application period for Innovation Farms Kenneth Johnston, CAFRE Innovation Farms programme manager. A new network of Innovation Farms is being launched — and local dairy and beef producers are being urged to step forward before the deadline closes this week. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has opened applications for farmers to become part of its Innovation Farm programme, a key strand of efforts to accelerate

Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) farm in Hillsborough, and (inset) TUV Agriculture spokesperson Cllr Allister Kyle A political storm is intensifying around the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) after verified whistleblower footage and mounting claims of “two-tier” enforcement prompted a senior TUV councillor to declare the Agriculture Minister’s position “untenable”. TUV Agriculture spokesperson Cllr Allister Kyle issued a scathing response following rep