NEWS

Northern Ireland’s drinking water remains among the safest in these islands — but pressure is building beneath the surface. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has this week published its Annual Report for 2024, confirming that drinking water quality across Northern Ireland continues to meet an exceptionally high standard. The figures are strong: 99.88% overall compliance for the public mains supply, based on more than 100,000 tests carried out during the year. The results

Site plan for the proposed BESS in rural Kells, Ballymena A proposed 150MW battery energy storage facility (BESS) at Lisnunnan Road, Kells, is set to be considered by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Monday night (February 16), with planning officers recommending approval subject to conditions. The application, submitted by Valor Power of 73 Ballyscullion Road, Bellaghy, seeks permission for the erection of a large-scale battery storage facility

Wetlands at Dungonnell Dam in the Antrim hills. Northern Ireland’s rich network of wetlands is being celebrated this week as World Wetlands Day is marked across the globe on 2 February, with this year’s theme focusing on ‘Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Heritage’. Closer to home, NI Water is using the international awareness day to highlight the vital role wetlands play in supporting biodiversity, protecting water quality and safeguarding community wellbeing.

Dead fish in Four Mile Burn, a tributary of the Six Mile Water river in May 2024 A County Antrim farmer has been convicted at Antrim Magistrates’ Court following a slurry pollution incident that killed more than 1,100 fish across two local waterways, prompting renewed political calls for tougher penalties for environmental offences. Seamus Kane (52), of Ballymena Road, Doagh, was convicted at Antrim Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ballymena under Article 7(1)(a) of the Water (N

Northern Ireland has endured its wettest January in almost a century and a half, as relentless Atlantic storms delivered record-breaking rainfall, flooding and disruption across the region during the opening month of 2026. Provisional Met Office figures show Northern Ireland recorded 70% more rainfall than the January average, making it the second wettest January on record and the wettest in 149 years, surpassed only by January 1877. The deluge came amid a broader spell of un

A lethal fungal pandemic once blamed for driving amphibians towards extinction may now be losing its grip in tropical regions, according to a major new global study led by Queen’s University Belfast. The research suggests that many tropical amphibian species have evolved resistance to chytridiomycosis – the most destructive wildlife disease ever recorded – raising cautious optimism that some populations may be stabilising or even beginning to recover. Chytridiomycosis, caused

Farmers across Northern Ireland are being urged to familiarise themselves with newly introduced Farm Sustainability Standards (FSS), which came into force today, 1 January 2026 , and will underpin eligibility for a wide range of agricultural support schemes. The new standards form a central pillar of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP) and are designed to ensure continued access to the Farm Sustainability Payment (FSP) and other key schemes supporting the agri-food se

Crop walks during the ‘Growers’ Gathering’ provided opportunities for useful discussions and viewing of implementation strategies in action at Greenmount Campus, Antrim. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has launched a new series of industry-focused events with the inaugural Growers’ Gathering for Production Horticulture, bringing together growers, researchers and policymakers to address one of the sector’s most pressing challenges – reducing and u

Landowners across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to consider planting new native woodlands with the 2025 Small Woodland Grant Scheme officially open for applications. The announcement was made by Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir, who confirmed that the scheme will remain open until 7 January 2026 , providing financial support to help establish small-scale native woodland projects. The scheme is designed to support landowners in creating n

Belfast International Airport awarded Platinum level by BITC’s 2025 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey. BITC’s MD Lisa McIlvenna presents the award to Belfast International Airport’s Evan Black and Kevin Napier. Belfast International Airport has been recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s most sustainable organisations after securing a prestigious Platinum rating in the 2025 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey. The Airport, which is part of the VINCI Airports global netwo

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has entered into a debate over which household recycling system works best, after the issue was raised at a meeting of a neighbouring council. Speaking in the council chamber at Mossley Mill on Monday evening, Antrim DUP councillor Paul Dunlop highlighted the differing approaches taken by local authorities. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has recently completed the roll-out of a triple-stacked wheelie box system to 25,000 house

A fourth suspected case of Bluetongue virus is under investigation in Co Down, after DAERA confirmed two further suspect infections in cattle during ongoing surveillance within Temporary Control Zones (TCZs). The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said the latest suspected cases were identified in two cattle on a second farm near Greyabbey, bringing the total number of premises with suspected infection to four. The development follows confirmation by the

Quagga Mussels (left) and Zebra Mussels (right) - (1.5x magnification) The first confirmed case of the highly invasive quagga mussel in Northern Ireland has been detected in Lower Lough Erne, triggering alarm among environmental scientists, politicians and local communities who depend on the lough for livelihoods, recreation and drinking water. The discovery has prompted sharp criticism of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) from Fermanagh and

(L-R): Mick Campbell, Wrightbus Head of Sales (Key Accounts); NCT representatives Andy Thompson; Rob Sutcliffe; Anthony Carver-Smith; and David Conway; and John McLeister, Wrightbus MD of Sales for UK and Ireland. Ballymena-based manufacturer Wrightbus has completed six new ultra-low emission StreetDeck Ultroliner buses destined for the Midlands, following a partnership with Nottingham City Transport (NCT). The vehicles were recently inspected by NCT representatives during a

Michael Meharg, Nicola Bothwell and Eimear Kearney accept the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Northern Ireland Awards Gold award on behalf of Lough Neagh Partnership for Best Public Affairs Campaign from Samantha Livingstone and Brittany Breslin of CIPR NI Committee. Lough Neagh Partnership has been awarded the prestigious Gold award for Best Public Affairs Campaign at the inaugural Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Northern Ireland Awards. The event, wid

Drains Bay on the Antrim coast A report on bathing water quality at Mid and East Antrim beaches during the summer was presented to the Borough Council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee at a meeting in The Braid, Ballymena, on Tuesday evening. Findings showed that following water quality testing on July 29, swimming was temporarily advised against at Portmuck, Islandmagee, due to faecal pollution. Committee members were told this can arise from sewage outfalls, combin

A Northern Ireland council is to examine the feasibility of providing sustainable burial grounds in the city, with a view to establishing sites for so-called green or “natural” burials. Elected members at a Belfast City Council committee meeting this week agreed to commission a report on a motion brought forward by the Alliance Party’s Michael Long , exploring the possible introduction of green burials in woodland or meadow areas, or on land beside cemeteries deemed unsuitabl

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

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