Plight of loughs and rivers dominates environment news

In the year 2024, the health of our lakes and rivers became a major topic in the news, particularly concerning Lough Neagh and Belfast Lough. These bodies of water faced significant challenges, and the public's concern about their condition was evident. Andrew Muir, who recently took on the role of Minister for Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs, made a visit to Lough Neagh shortly after assuming his position. During an interview with BBC News, he highlighted the issue of blue-green algae, a type of algae that can turn water a bright green and pose health risks. Muir stated, 'What happened and what we saw last summer, it's really very highly likely that's going to happen again. ' This statement indicates that the problems experienced in the previous summer could recur, and he emphasized the need for collaboration to find effective solutions. The presence of blue-green algae became a pressing concern within the government, and it was a significant part of Muir's responsibilities. As winter approached, reports of blue-green algae continued to emerge, raising fears of a repeat of the crisis that occurred in 2023. However, it wasn't until July that the Lough Neagh Action Plan received approval, by which time the algae issue had already escalated. Dr. Neil Reid, a researcher specializing in algal blooms, warned that the green mats of algae are teeming with harmful bacteria such as e-coli and salmonella. He explained that these bacteria can lead to serious illness if they come into contact with skin or are ingested. NI Water, the organization responsible for managing water in Northern Ireland, acknowledged that sewage was being discharged into Belfast Lough, which is illegal. This situation is alarming as it compromises the safety of the water for recreational activities. In September, a report from the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) revealed that the Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs had failed to adequately protect water quality. Natalie Prosser, the OEP's chief executive, expressed her concerns, stating, 'Unfortunately, we don't have far to go to see the serious consequences when water quality is neglected, as the ongoing crisis at Lough Neagh shows. ' A few months later, NI Water reported that a significant amount of sewage was being released into Belfast Lough from combined storm overflows, which occur when heavy rainfall causes sewage and rainwater to overflow into the water. Paddy Brow from NI Water authored a report detailing the issues in Belfast Lough, revealing that 90% of the excess bacteria in the water originated from discharges managed by NI Water. He also noted that Belfast Lough is eutrophic, meaning it has an overabundance of nutrients that can lead to harmful algae blooms, similar to those seen in Lough Neagh. This situation poses a threat to the mussel beds in the lough, which play a crucial role in maintaining water quality. If the mussels are unable to filter the water effectively, the overall quality will deteriorate. Dr. Matt Service, a scientist, cautioned that this could create a negative feedback loop, where the decline in water quality further impacts the mussel population. In June 2024, protests erupted against gas storage projects proposed under Larne Lough. Lisa Dobbie, a leader in the campaign against these projects, celebrated the outcome as a victory for the community and the environment. However, the Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court, leading to further delays in the matter. In July, the Lough Neagh Action Plan was officially launched by Andrew Muir, aiming to address the ongoing issues. Meanwhile, farmers expressed their discontent regarding changes to inheritance laws that could have significant implications for their livelihoods. The new budget introduced a £1 million cap on Agricultural Property Relief, a tax exemption that has historically supported farmers. This announcement caused widespread concern among the farming community, as many farmers rely heavily on subsidies for their income. Ian Buchanan, a farmer, voiced his worries, stating that the return on farm value is minimal. He also highlighted that farms are typically passed down through generations rather than sold, adding to the stress faced by farmers in Northern Ireland.