To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on the timeline for a draft environment strategy for Northern Ireland.

Business units across DAERA are in the process of supplying relevant input to the draft Environment Strategy.

Officials are also currently engaging with senior contact points in other Departments to secure input on what measures those Departments are and will be taking to improve the natural environment.

Subject to Executive approval, it is intended that the draft Strategy will be published for consultation this spring, with the final Strategy being published this autumn.

I am committed to ensuring that we take the time necessary to deliver a comprehensive and ambitious Strategy which will play a key role in shaping our environment in the coming decades.