The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has extended the deadline for stakeholders to put forward evidence on the impact of air pollution, such as ammonia, in Northern Ireland's natural environment.

An extra four weeks has been granted for DAERA’' Call for Evidence on the Operational Protocol. The deadline is now Friday 27 October 2023.

Dave Foster, Director of Natural Environment Policy, said DAERA acknowledges it may not have access to all the relevant evidence for consideration in updating the existing operational protocol.

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"We are urging everyone with an interest in this issue including academics, environmental groups, and the agri-food sector, to submit any evidence they have that would contribute to DAERA developing an updated, scientifically robust Operational Protocol.

"We know that urgent action is needed on this issue, so it has been a difficult decision to extend the deadline for a second time, but stakeholders have asked for additional time to support the provision of evidence in this process.

"Our goal is to deliver an evidence-informed solution which protects and improves the environment, whilst supporting a sustainable agriculture sector."