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To: Minister of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland

Andrew Muir: Increase Fines for Polluters

Start a Campaign with Act Now

06/06/2024 Great news! Due to the pressure you put them under, Minister Andrew Muir has agreed to increase fines for agricultural pollution!

We'll have to keep an eye on Minister Muir to make sure he implements this change, but this is a big win and you helped play a part in it. And we know how important this win is in our fight to save Lough Neagh and keep our waters safe and clean.

This is what our community is all about - showing up and never giving up. This wouldn't have been possible without your support. Thank you!

More here:
https://www.derrynow.com/news/northern-ireland/1521202/farmers-set-for-heavier-penalties-for-environmental-breaches-says-minister.html

Reinstate higher fines for farm pollution to safeguard our local waterways.

Why is this important?

In 2022, former DAERA Minister, Edwin Poots, capped penalties for repeated agricultural pollution breaches at 15% in 2022. Before then, farmers who repeatedly polluted faced losing between 15%-100% of their farm payments depending on the severity of the pollution. 

It should not be cheaper to pollute than to manage waste in a safe and effective way. We have a freshwater crisis in NI because of vast amounts of pollution that is going into loughs and rivers. Excess run-off from industrial agricultural processes has deteriorated the overall water quality of Lough Neagh which provides over half of Belfast's drinking water. 

We have a right to safe and secure drinking water and duty to ensure that Lough Neagh and other freshwater bodies in NI are protected. 

We call on Minister Andrew Muir to reinstate higher fines and properly enforce them today!

Partner

Updates

2024-06-06 16:53:34 +0100

Petition is successful with 695 signatures

2024-06-05 12:30:21 +0100

500 signatures reached

2024-05-30 16:19:24 +0100

100 signatures reached

2024-05-30 15:56:09 +0100

50 signatures reached

2024-05-30 15:48:11 +0100

25 signatures reached

2024-05-30 15:43:46 +0100

10 signatures reached