NEWS

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

A suspect case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been identified at a commercial poultry premises near Pomeroy, County Tyrone, prompting swift disease control measures by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). The Department confirmed that the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) for Northern Ireland, Brian Dooher, took the decision to initiate control protocols following the emergence of concerning clinical signs and preliminary test re

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has welcomed confirmation from Environment Minister Mary Creagh MP that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are now assisting Northern Ireland officials following the first confirmed sighting of an Asian Hornet. Minister Creagh confirmed to Mr Swann that DEFRA and APHA had “worked closely with officials from Northern Ireland to help them prepare and publish a contingency pl

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) will come into effect across Northern Ireland from 00:01 on Saturday 1 November 2025, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has announced. The new measures, which place a legal requirement on all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity rules, are being introduced to help prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) during the winter migration season. Whether keeping pet birds, a small backyard flock, or a large commerci

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has welcomed action taken by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to remove illegally dumped materials and a burnt-out vehicle from rural roads near Corkey and Glenaan. The DUP representative said he had been contacted by local residents concerned about the growing problem of illegal dumping along the Altnahinch Road, including discarded electrical goods and piles of waste, as well as a burnt-out vehicle along the Glenaan Road and the repeated d

Alix Mulholland, Co-founder of Co. Down-based home fragrance company FieldDay, joins Dawn Miskelly, CEO of Ulster Wildlife, and Maureen Carvill, Wildlife Gardening Officer at Ulster Wildlife, to celebrate a new partnership to inspire 5,000 households across Northern Ireland to make space for nature in their garden Local County Down fragrance company FieldDay has joined forces with conservation charity Ulster Wildlife to inspire 5,000 households to take part in the Let Nature

The Kells, Connor and Glenwherry Angling Club has expressed “deep disappointment and frustration” after the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) once again refused to grant permits needed to reopen their river hatchery — a conservation project aimed at restoring dwindling salmon and Dollaghan trout populations in the Kellswater River system. The group said the hatchery could have played a vital role in protecting native fish and educating local sc

Invasive species: The Asian hornet, otherwise known as a yellow-legged hornet was discovered for the first time in Northern Ireland. South Antrim MP Robin Swann has written to DAERA Minister Andrew Muir seeking urgent clarification on Northern Ireland’s response to the confirmed presence of an Asian hornet, warning that the invasive species poses a serious threat to local honeybees, pollinators, and biodiversity. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) confirmed last w

Kinecx Energy Chairman Dr David Dobbin (second from left) and Kinecx Energy Chief Executive Officer Niall Martindale (second from right)...

Disease control measures have been implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) following a...

Beef cattle grazing at the Hill Farm is managed using virtual fence technology. More than 260 visitors braved wet weather to attend the...

Views of the Ecos Nature Park in Ballymena Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has backed a motion to strengthen the protection of trees...

Antrim Crown Court In a significant environmental case, a father and son from Ballymena, County Antrim, have been sentenced at Antrim...

The River Braid, Ballymena A proposed housing development near the Tullygarley area of Ballymena has ignited significant opposition from...

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has unveiled the Final Scheme Design for the Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee (REPG) , a major...

Eleven months in development – Wrightbus‘ first zero-emission truck conversion – a 19-tonne twin-axle DAF World-leading bus manufacturer...

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, is encouraging Borough residents to play their part in recycling Mid and East...

(L–R) James Doherty, Plastic-i, Chris McQuire, UK Space Agency, Minister Andrew Muir, Robert Hill, NI SPACE, and Maria-Valasia Peppa,...

Larne Town Park Larne Renovation Generation has voiced opposition to the “re-wilding” of the town’s main park. In a statement on social...

Kells Connor & Glenwherry Angling Club has announced that it has successfully secured funding from the Northern Ireland Environment...