Third cycle River Basin Management Plan 2021 – 2027 published
Date published:
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has published the third cycle River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) 2021 – 2027.
The plan gives an overview of Northern Ireland’s water bodies, environmental objectives for 2027, and provides information about the Programme of Measures for the third cycle RBMP to address the pressures acting upon the water environment.
Minister Muir said: “Publication of the plan fulfils an overdue statutory duty and is further to on ongoing and tangible action set out in the Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan and the Environmental Improvement Plan for Northern Ireland.
“It is important to acknowledge that, owing to the absence of Ministers and functioning institutions, significant time was lost, and this plan is now being published towards the end of the third cycle, which runs from 2021 to 2027. Whilst we continue to deliver the actions within this Plan, focus is already upon the development of the fourth cycle plan, which must be ambitious and progressed in consultation with stakeholders in a timely manner.
“It is only by working together that we, as a society and a community, can both minimise and ultimately reverse the damage that has been done. It is my vision that our water bodies are at ‘good’ status or better and support biodiversity and a sustainable economy, contributing to the health and well-being of everyone.”
The key measures outlined in the plan relate to the reduction of nutrients. Other measures relate to chemicals and pesticides, abstraction, fisheries and morphology, invasive alien species, forestry and waste and contaminated land.
Download the third cycle River Basin Management Plan 2021 – 2027.
Notes to editors:
- Executive approval of the third cycle River Basin Management Plan was obtained on 5 June 2025.
- The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 require the production and implementation of a RBMP in six yearly cycles.
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