Northern Ireland’s agriculture minister has apologised to farmers for decisions made by predecessors that incentivised agricultural growth but contributed to pollution in Lough Neagh.

Andrew Muir said “we got things wrong in the past and I apologise for that” but vowed to “fix the situation”.

The UK’s largest lake has been blighted by blooms of toxic blue-green algae at levels not seen since the 1970s, with fertiliser run-off from farming seen as one of the primary causes.

When asked if farmers were owed an apology after being incentivised to accelerate agricultural production under the Going for Growth plan published in 2012, Muir said it was something Stormont had to “own up to”.

The Going for Growth plan aimed to significantly increase the agri-food industry’s value and create jobs.

The strategy, jointly sponsored by the then agriculture minister Michelle O’Neill and her economy counterpart Arlene Foster, incentivised an expansion of Northern Ireland’s beef and dairy sectors, leading to increased slurry and nutrient runoff from farms.

Farmers are now being asked to scale back their production through the Northern Ireland Nutrients Action Programme (NAP), which tightens fertiliser and manure limits and brings in tougher environmental rules to curb pollution.

“I would say, as minister of agriculture, environment and rural affairs, we got things wrong in the past, and I apologise for that,” Muir told BBC Newsline.

“But what I want to do is to work with people. I want to fix the situation that we’re seeing around this, and that’s what I’m committed to doing.”

Lough Neagh has been beset with pollution and environmental issues in recent years.

High levels of blue-green algae appeared on the lough in 2023 and has become a recurring problem.

It can cause minor health affects in people but poses a bigger risk to pets, livestock and wildlife.

Long-term pollution – largely from agriculture – is a key part of the problem.

Those who live by the lough and who use it for work and for pleasure have told BBC News NI they are in despair.

Muir said there were a “number of science-led interventions” under way to treat the algae issue.

“This is in relation to predicting, but also managing the blooms.”

A number of different approaches are being used to tackle the problem, including using space technology to detect where and when blooms may form, solar-powered booms to contain algal mats and even removing chunks of them for biomass fuel.

Muir also said he is hopeful he can introduce legislation that will increase fines for polluters and act as a deterrent before the next election .

“I’ve been on record on my disappointment in terms of lack of support in recent months, but in recent weeks I’ve had a bit more hope in terms of my engagement with party leaders,” he said.

“I’m a glass-half-full kind of person and there’s an opportunity ahead over the next number of months to chart a better course for Lough Neagh, and I’m hopeful about that.”