CHINESE CONSULATE DELEGATION VISITS LOUGH NEAGH FARM
The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Cllr Henry Cushinan joined Gerry Darby of Lough Neagh Partnership to welcome Consul General Mr Li Nan to a farm in the Lough Neagh catchment. The visit provided Mr Nan with an opportunity to see firsthand the achievements of an environmental farm programme which the farm owners have been undertaking for a decade.
A decade of environmental farming
The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Cllr Henry Cushinan joined Gerry Darby of the Lough Neagh Partnership to welcome the Chinese Consul General Mr Li Nan to a farm in the Lough Neagh catchment. The visit provided Mr Nan with an opportunity to see firsthand the achievements of the Lough Neagh Group Farm Schemes which have been managed by the Lough Neagh Partnership and funded under the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
The farm, outside Dundrod, which is owned and managed by Michael and Judy Meharg, has been part of the DAERA funded scheme. A variety of environmental practices were demonstrated on the farm, including new riparian buffers through watercourse fencing, the planting of new woodland and the rearing of traditional Moiled Cattle.
Sharing knowledge on sustainable agriculture
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Henry Cushinan said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Consul General Mr Li Nan to the Lough Neagh catchment and to have the opportunity to showcase the practical work being carried out by farmers to protect and enhance our environment.
“As a Council representative on the Lough Neagh Partnership, I am very aware of the importance of partnership working and of supporting our farming community as we seek to protect the Lough and its surrounding catchment. The work being undertaken through these schemes demonstrates how farmers can play a central role in delivering positive environmental outcomes, while continuing to support a sustainable and productive agricultural sector”.
Consul General Mr Li Nan said: “Pursuing green and sustainable development is a shared goal of China and Northern Ireland. Prioritising ecological conservation, China has consistently followed the idea that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and accumulated practical experience in comprehensive lake basin management and aquatic ecosystem restoration. China stands ready to deepen exchanges and cooperation with Northern Ireland on ecological and environmental protection, share practical experience in lake governance, offer constructive reference for the ecological improvement of Lough Neagh, jointly safeguard the aquatic ecosystem and benefit the people of Northern Ireland.”
Speaking after the visit, Gerry Darby of Lough Neagh Partnership, said: “Through the Lough Neagh Partnership, the DAERA Environmental Group Farm Schemes (EGFS) programme has attracted more than £5.1 million of new environmental investment, transforming how thousands of hectares of farmland around the Lough are managed. Over 1100 ha of wet grassland has been improved, along with 209 ha of wet woodland, and 406 km of watercourse fencing has been installed. Indeed 33% of farms along the shoreline participated in the environmental scheme.”
“I believe that arranging this visit and welcoming Mr Nan to see firsthand examples of the practical measures that have been taken and changes that have been made, literally from the ground up, by both Judy and Michael Meharg on this farm, to enhance its environment and habitat now and for generations to come, is of significant importance in demonstrating sustainable approaches to farming and environmental protection.
“We have been able to transfer knowledge of the experience of Lough Neagh farmers with an international audience and showcase how farmers, environmental organisations and government can work together to protect natural habitats and improve water quality.”
The visit formed part of a wider knowledge exchange focused on sustainable agriculture, environmental protection and the importance of working with farmers to deliver positive change across the Lough Neagh catchment.
Gerry Darby added: “Such has been the success of this decade-long programme, that farmers involved in the Lough Neagh EGFS are now eligible to continue to apply for environmental funding through Lough Neagh Partnership, providing further assistance to the farming community as they continue to adopt more nature-friendly farming practices.”
Lough Neagh Partnership continues to work with farmers, government, environmental organisations and other stakeholders to support nature-friendly farming practices and develop a catchment-wide approach to protecting the Lough and its surrounding environment.
