Summary
The DAERA Nutrients Action Programme 2026-2029 Stakeholder Task and Finish Group (the Group) was established by DAERA and worked under the Chairmanship of an independent external chair.
The purpose of the Group was to produce a report for the Minister which set out proposals to improve water quality for inclusion in the NAP 2026-2029 within the legal framework. In doing so, the Group would take into account the proposals already consulted upon, the consultation responses to date, and any other potential alternative solutions or information raised within the Group, that were supported by evidence and would meet the legal obligations to improve water quality.
The proposals set out in the Group’s report were submitted to the DAERA Minister, Minister Muir, and were reviewed before being put out for public consultation on 29 June 2026.
The Stakeholder Task & Finish Group
The Brief
The measures developed by the Group were required to: be evidence-based, workable and practical; economically viable and achievable at farm level within realistic timeframes; set NI on a pathway so that measures would comply with/ enable compliance with all relevant legislative requirements by the end of the NAP period; and enable the agri-food industry to continue to thrive whilst supporting environmental sustainability
Where the remit of a specific measure, or topic for discussion, extended beyond the Group’s membership, individual stakeholder members were able to seek external views and provide papers or input on specific topics. If any policy development fell under the remit of another Government Department, the relevant officials were invited to contribute. DAERA also engaged at official levels with a wider range of stakeholder organisations outside of this arrangement as necessary and in line with the normal course of business.
A subgroup for science and research was established to support and inform the work of the Group and that included AFBI and AgriSearch and other relevant independent organisations. Other subgroups examined technical aspects and economics.
Items out of scope
The Group was specifically asked not to address: measures to address pollution caused by non-agricultural sources in different sectors; removal of the requirements within the existing NAP regulations, although consideration was given to amendments to existing NAP regulations that would strengthen environmental protection/improve water quality; and policy areas outside the remit of DAERA. However, it was within scope to identify and comment on aspects of existing policy that might have presented barriers to the implementation of NAP proposals.
Group membership
Membership of the Group was by invitation of the Minister, with suitable nominated deputies allowed if a member was unable to attend. DAERA and AFBI officials were not official members of the Group, but attended in a supporting role. Members comprised:
- Dairy Council of Northern Ireland – One member
- Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) – One member
- NI Agricultural Producers Association (NIAPA) – One member
- NI Environment Link (NIEL) – Four members
- NI Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) – One member
- NI Grain Trade Association (NIGTA) – One member
- NI Meat Exporters Association (NIMEA) – One member
- NI Pork and Bacon Forum (NIPBF) – One member
- NI Poultry Industry Federation (NIPIF) – One member
- Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) – Four members