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A blog from the Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service

Agriculture and Environment Blog Archive

Here you will find an archive of Agriculture & Environment Blog articles published before 1 May 2022, divided into their relevant categories.

Agriculture

Image by Jonathan Billinger and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons
The agri-food sector is a significant one for the economy and employment in Northern Ireland. For a number of reasons, the implications of the vote to leave the EU…
The merging of environment and agriculture
Local government underwent significant structural change in 2015 with the number of councils reducing from 26 to 11, and the transfer of many functions from central to local government….
Average Farm Business Income (FBI) for selected sectors, 2010/11 to 2015/16 forecast
Farm incomes over the last five years in Northern Ireland have shown considerable volatility and this presents challenges for the long- term sustainability of the industry, both within and…

Energy

Image of wind farm in front of a setting sun
There was considerable growth in the development of renewable electricity over the previous Northern Ireland Assembly mandate. Changes to renewable electricity support may impact the ability to achieve similar levels…

Environment

An image showing a tree canopy from beneath
The impacts and dangers associated with air pollution are becoming increasingly recognised. Around 28,000 to 40,000 deaths per year are estimated to be attributable to air pollution in the…
An image showing a set of new plastic bottles
This blog article is the second in a series of two which discusses the issue of marine plastic waste in Northern Ireland (NI), based on a research paper published…
An image showing a large quantity of largely plastic on a beachmarine litter
This blog article is the first in a series of two which discusses the issue of marine plastic waste in Northern Ireland (NI), based on a research paper published…

Fisheries

An image showing Lough Foyle
Lough Foyle is a valuable ecosystem and fishery situated on the border between the UK and Republic of Ireland. The maritime boundary – and ownership of the Lough –…
Fishing boats in Ardglass harbour (Creative Commons; Image: Ardfern)
Despite not being particularly large in overall UK terms, the sea fishing industry in Northern Ireland makes a significant contribution to the economy of the three County Down ports…

Rural Affairs

Image depicting a farm with a dramatic sky
In this Mental Health Awareness Week, which also coincides with this year’s Balmoral Show, this article examines an issue which has received comparatively little attention and on which, so…