Farms broke environmental rules thousands of times over last decade

FARMS in Northern Ireland have breached environmental regulations thousands of times in the last ten years.

Statistics obtained by The Detail show that between 2014 and 2023, 2,448 breaches were recorded on 1,274 farms.

Around two-fifths of the breaches (1,055) were classed as serious pollution cases, including major fish kills caused by slurry leaking into rivers.

Despite concerns that an excess of slurry in our waterways is damaging wildlife and causing toxic algae, including on Lough Neagh, environmental inspections of farms have dropped by around 50% over the past decade.

And a conservation expert has said the figures illustrated the ongoing challenges in protecting Northern Ireland’s lakes and rivers. 

Mark Horton, the All-Ireland Director of The Rivers Trust, said more must be done to stop pollution.

“While legal enforcement plays a crucial role in regulating environmental standards, our ultimate goal should be to prevent pollution at its source,” he said.

“The fact that 1,274 farms were involved in over 2,448 breaches, with many incidents classified as major or significant pollution events, underscores a systemic issue that fines and penalties alone cannot rectify.”

The Detail asked NIEA how many farms were prosecuted or fined.

Of the 2,448 breaches, only 78 led to prosecutions. A total of 1,184 farms were penalised through deductions from their government farming grants.

A further 64 were sent warning letters.

No information was given about the remaining 1,122 farms.

Deductions from farming grants raised more than £1.83 million over the decade.

Mr Horton said that any money raised should be spent on environmental restoration projects.

“This reinvestment can support initiatives such as the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices, the restoration of natural habitats, and the development of innovative water management solutions,” he said.

Drop in inspections

Although the number of farms in Northern Ireland has remained relatively stable over the last decade - around 24,500 - fewer are being inspected.

In 2014 there were 679 inspections, compared to just 314 in 2023, figures obtained from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) show.

The number of environmental inspectors has also dropped from ten in 2014 to six. However, NIEA told The Detail that four people are training to be inspectors.

NIEA aims to inspect around 1% of farms in the north every year.

However, a report into water quality, published by the Northern Ireland Audit Office in March, warned that while only inspecting 1% of farms is within the rules, “…the deterrent effect of any ‘potential’ inspection will be minimal”.

It added that since 2021 “nutrients released from agricultural sources represented the most significant pressure on rivers and lakes across NI”.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) said inspections and enforcement actions were carried out in line with the law.

“NIEA undertakes enforcement action that is proportionate to the significance of the offence,” she said.

“This includes consideration of the level of environmental harm, the impact on communities, the level of financial benefit arising from the offence(s), or the regulatory costs avoided.”

She said the inspection figures also included farm visits by inspectors investigating pollution complaints, which vary year on year.

“As well as undertaking planned cross compliance inspections, NIEA undertakes further reactive inspections following reports of pollution,” she said.

“These numbers will vary annually depending upon the number of pollution incidents that occur.”

She added that the department “takes the problem of water pollution very seriously and is progressing a wide range of measures aimed at improving water quality across all of NI”.

John McLenaghan, the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) deputy president, said the number of breaches was relatively low.

“We are committed to working with our members and other stakeholders to see further improvements in compliance,” he said.

“When the figures are put into context, a small percentage of overall farmers are proven to be non-compliant.

“A significant number of the breaches are around record keeping issues that have minimal impact if any effect on the environment.”