Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 2:30 pm on 10 September 2024.
Patsy McGlone
Social Democratic and Labour Party
2:30,
10 September 2024
T1. Mr McGlone asked the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on the Department's just transition policy development. (AQT 501/22-27)
Andrew Muir
Alliance
There are a number of issues around that. We will start consultation soon on the regulations that will establish the just transition commission. We will then make the regulations and establish the commission next year. That is important.
Another issue is the just transition fund for agriculture. As I outlined earlier in this Question Time, I have made the case to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that there should be a separate and additional capital fund for Northern Ireland that would be the just transition fund for agriculture. That would be an invest-to-save measure, in that it would enable us not only to drive down greenhouse gas emissions but to deal with the air quality, ammonia and water quality issues that we have talked about today. A lot needs to be done in that space.
I will bring the draft green growth strategy to the Executive for endorsement very soon, and a just transition is a core part of that. I am keen that, as we travel the road to net zero, it is just and fair. It is absolutely key that we do that. That is where our economy needs to be as well when it comes to looking after the most vulnerable and ensuring equality.
Patsy McGlone
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Minister, you touched on something that inspired me to follow another line of thinking. On the just transition and the economy, what support or other measures have been discussed with the Department for the Economy, particularly the on-farm and in-yard measures that could be implemented to support that transition, especially with the disposal of slurry?
Andrew Muir
Alliance
I work closely with the Department for the Economy on the small business research initiative. I had a meeting with Conor Murphy yesterday. We work together closely in those areas and share a common desire to reach net zero in a just and fair manner. A good bit of that sits with me to take forward, and I will make announcements soon about phase 2 of the small business research initiative on the sustainable utilisation of slurry. We need to do a lot on water quality. A better way to manage slurry and manure is critical to that, and I will talk a lot about it over the rest of the mandate.
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