NEWS

(L-R): Mick Campbell, Wrightbus Head of Sales (Key Accounts); NCT representatives Andy Thompson; Rob Sutcliffe; Anthony Carver-Smith; and David Conway; and John McLeister, Wrightbus MD of Sales for UK and Ireland. Ballymena-based manufacturer Wrightbus has completed six new ultra-low emission StreetDeck Ultroliner buses destined for the Midlands, following a partnership with Nottingham City Transport (NCT). The vehicles were recently inspected by NCT representatives during a

Michael Meharg, Nicola Bothwell and Eimear Kearney accept the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Northern Ireland Awards Gold award on behalf of Lough Neagh Partnership for Best Public Affairs Campaign from Samantha Livingstone and Brittany Breslin of CIPR NI Committee. Lough Neagh Partnership has been awarded the prestigious Gold award for Best Public Affairs Campaign at the inaugural Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Northern Ireland Awards. The event, wid

Drains Bay on the Antrim coast A report on bathing water quality at Mid and East Antrim beaches during the summer was presented to the Borough Council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee at a meeting in The Braid, Ballymena, on Tuesday evening. Findings showed that following water quality testing on July 29, swimming was temporarily advised against at Portmuck, Islandmagee, due to faecal pollution. Committee members were told this can arise from sewage outfalls, combin

A Northern Ireland council is to examine the feasibility of providing sustainable burial grounds in the city, with a view to establishing sites for so-called green or “natural” burials. Elected members at a Belfast City Council committee meeting this week agreed to commission a report on a motion brought forward by the Alliance Party’s Michael Long , exploring the possible introduction of green burials in woodland or meadow areas, or on land beside cemeteries deemed unsuitabl

DAERA vets are investigating a suspected case of Bluetongue virus at a livestock holding near Bangor, Co Down, prompting urgent disease control measures and the introduction of a 20km Temporary Control Zone (TCZ). The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) confirmed that results from its active Bluetongue surveillance programme “indicated the presence of the disease in two cows”. Officials have now implemented what they describe as “robust disease co

Belfast Harbour Secretary of State Hilary Benn has praised a landmark £100 million offshore wind investment during a visit to Belfast Harbour, where two of the largest planned wind farms in the Irish Sea are set to be assembled. The visit comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced at COP30 that the project could create more than 300 jobs, following the major agreement by joint venture partners JERA Nex bp and EnBW to lease Belfast Harbour’s offshore wind terminal.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced new legislation that will ban the sale and supply of wet wipes containing plastic in Northern Ireland, as part of a coordinated UK-wide approach to tackling plastic pollution. The regulations — which include limited exemptions for business-to-business supply and medical use — will take effect in May 2027, following an 18-month transition period. This will allow retailers time to clear existing

Giants Causeway, part of the Antrim Lava Group. (Image: Professor Stuart Gilfillan from our School of GeoSciences at the University of Edinburgh) Ancient volcanic rocks beneath County Antrim – the same basalt that forms the iconic columns of the Giant’s Causeway – could become a cornerstone of future climate action, with scientists revealing they could permanently store more carbon dioxide than any other site in the UK. A new study led by the University of Edinburgh has ident

NewPower, the repowering division launched by Ballymena-based zero-emission bus manufacturer Wrightbus in 2024, has announced a groundbreaking EV-to-EV Repower agreement with leading operator Metroline. The deal marks the first time NewPower will upgrade an existing electric fleet with state-of-the-art EV technology, positioning the company at the forefront of Europe’s transition to greener public transport. Under the contract, 28 Metrodecker electric buses—previously hindere

Lough Neagh, County Antrim Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Economic Development Committee has deferred a decision on acting as a site host for The Gateway Project, a new initiative developed to support early detection of blue-green algae bloom in Lough Neagh. A report was presented to a meeting of the committee at Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey, on Tuesday evening. Members were told that Helix8 Ltd, a Larne-based technology company, has secured funding under the Belfast

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is set to explore the possibility of using silent fireworks or drone shows during future celebrations in the borough. At November’s Environmental Services Committee meeting, members agreed that potential changes to council-organised firework displays should be discussed at a future meeting of the Leisure and Development Committee. TUV Councillor Jonathan McAuley said he had received correspondence from several constituents in the week

North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland has praised Ballycastle bathing waters as they have once again achieved the highest possible rating for water quality.  Environment Minister Andrew Muir has announced the 2025 bathing water classification results, revealing that Ballycastle Beach has once again achieved the highest possible rating for water quality. The annual assessment, published by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), confirms that Ballycast

Mandatory housing measures for all kept birds and poultry will come into force across Northern Ireland from 00:01 on Thursday, 6 November 2025 , as part of new efforts to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced that the new Housing Order will require all bird keepers — including pet bird owners, commercial operators, and those with backyard or hobby flocks — to keep thei

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has called for agreement to establish an independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Northern Ireland, following the publication of an expert panel report recommending stronger, more accountable environmental governance. Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Minister Muir outlined plans for the creation of a non-departmental public body (NDPB) under the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affair

A suspect case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been identified at a commercial poultry premises near Pomeroy, County Tyrone, prompting swift disease control measures by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). The Department confirmed that the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) for Northern Ireland, Brian Dooher, took the decision to initiate control protocols following the emergence of concerning clinical signs and preliminary test re

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has welcomed confirmation from Environment Minister Mary Creagh MP that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are now assisting Northern Ireland officials following the first confirmed sighting of an Asian Hornet. Minister Creagh confirmed to Mr Swann that DEFRA and APHA had “worked closely with officials from Northern Ireland to help them prepare and publish a contingency pl

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) will come into effect across Northern Ireland from 00:01 on Saturday 1 November 2025, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has announced. The new measures, which place a legal requirement on all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity rules, are being introduced to help prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) during the winter migration season. Whether keeping pet birds, a small backyard flock, or a large commerci

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has welcomed action taken by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to remove illegally dumped materials and a burnt-out vehicle from rural roads near Corkey and Glenaan. The DUP representative said he had been contacted by local residents concerned about the growing problem of illegal dumping along the Altnahinch Road, including discarded electrical goods and piles of waste, as well as a burnt-out vehicle along the Glenaan Road and the repeated d

Alix Mulholland, Co-founder of Co. Down-based home fragrance company FieldDay, joins Dawn Miskelly, CEO of Ulster Wildlife, and Maureen Carvill, Wildlife Gardening Officer at Ulster Wildlife, to celebrate a new partnership to inspire 5,000 households across Northern Ireland to make space for nature in their garden Local County Down fragrance company FieldDay has joined forces with conservation charity Ulster Wildlife to inspire 5,000 households to take part in the Let Nature

The Kells, Connor and Glenwherry Angling Club has expressed “deep disappointment and frustration” after the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) once again refused to grant permits needed to reopen their river hatchery — a conservation project aimed at restoring dwindling salmon and Dollaghan trout populations in the Kellswater River system. The group said the hatchery could have played a vital role in protecting native fish and educating local sc