To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to outline his Department’s plans to control invasive alien species in peatland habitats.

Due to a range of environmental factors, peatland habitats have been less impacted by invasive alien species, but nonetheless remain vulnerable. Controls focus on removal of species such as rhododendrons from sites designated for their conservation importance, as part of a range of measures to improve the condition of those sites.

DAERA has a live consultation seeking views on the Draft Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy 2021 – 2040. This can be accessed at the following link http://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/ni-peatland-strategy-consultation

Your views on this topic would be most welcome.