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Northern Ireland’s Agriculture Minister has slammed “vile homophobic, racist and misogynistic” comments on social media in opposition to his department’s proposed Nutrients Action Programme. Andrew Muir was pressed to abandon the proposed plan for 2026-29 which is currently out for consultation during questions for his department in the Assembly on Tuesday. He was warned the proposals, aimed at improving water quality and the wider environment by reducing and preventing pollution caused or induced by nutrients from agricultural sources, could destroy the farming industry.

Opponents to the plan have argued that the measures currently proposed could devastate agriculture, reduce livestock numbers and undermine food security. They have called on Mr Muir to

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