Written question asked by Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party) on Thursday, 12 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 February 2026 (named day). It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Monday, 2 March 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Pollution: Lough Neagh

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on how best practice across the UK can be utilised to help with green blue algae problems in Lough Neagh.

Answer: Baroness Hayman visited Lough Neagh with Defra officials and Minister Muir in March 2025, to see first-hand some of the shared challenges. Subsequently at the November 2025 meeting of the Interministerial Group for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministers from across the UK, including the Northern Ireland Executive, discussed water quality issues and how to share best practice. Ministers agreed to establish an officials’ group to enhance the sharing of research data and behavioural change evidence to support policy making and delivery across the UK.

Secondary information