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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

An image of a farming landscape in Ireland
2020 was already set to be a challenging year for farmers across the UK. Having finally reached an agreed Withdrawal Agreement with the EU, the UK is set to…
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…
Sample form used by applicants for direct payments (DAERA)
A key issue within Northern Ireland since the UK’s decision to leave the EU in June 2016 is exactly how this decision will affect local farming?…

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

Since the introduction of Japanese Knotweed as an ornamental plant in the nineteenth century, it has spread throughout watercourses, transport routes and waste ground, out-competing native plants and damaging…
Strangford Lough from Scrabo Hill (Image: Colin Park under Creative Commons)
As the Prime Minister prepares to trigger Article 50, this blog post looks at the potential consequences for environmental standards here in Northern Ireland….
Rathlin Island, one of 57 SACs in Northern Ireland (Image: Colin Park under Creative Commons Licence)
How might leaving the European Union impact on environmental policy, funding and legislation in Northern Ireland?…

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…