The aim of the Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) is to improve water quality and the wider environment in Northern Ireland by reducing nutrient pollution from agricultural sources.
The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has a statutory obligation to review the NAP for the current 2026-2029 cycle.
This review is overdue and proposals to update the NAP went out for public consultation on 1, May 2025, with the consultation closing on 24, July 2025.
As part of our nutrients programme in Northern Ireland we commissioned independent research to assess the potential effectiveness of the measures proposed in the NAP review.
The key themes the contractor identified include:
- The proposed NAP regulations are based on solid scientific evidence
- These measures are expected to enhance water quality, especially by lowering phosphorus levels
- Cleaner catchments may see ecological gains, while heavily nutrient-enriched waters are less likely to experience improvements as a result of these measures
- Addressing all sources of nutrient pollution—including agriculture, sewage, septic tanks—is essential for best results
This research follows on from our 2024 report looking at the drivers and pressures causing biodiversity loss which found that current levels of nutrient pollution in Northern Ireland, caused mainly by agriculture and wastewater management, are unsustainable.
We are considering this expert report alongside other evidence as we progress our work on addressing nutrient pollution in Northern Ireland.
We have also commissioned a number of other research reports on the nutrient issue, such as one looking at the impacts of wastewater treatment that we will publish in the coming months.
Disclaimer: This independent report was compiled by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology after being commissioned by the OEP. The views expressed in this report are those of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and not the OEP. People are therefore advised to read the report for themselves to consider its findings and/or engage with authors on any technical detail.