To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail the discussions he has had with the Secretary of State in regard to an Environmental Improvement Plan for Northern Ireland, which will be required under the UK Environment Bill.

One of the core provisions of the Environment Act 2021 (the Act) is the preparation and publication of an Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) and it is at my Department’s discretion as to what is adopted as an EIP. The Act does not require me to discuss the matter with the Secretary of State. As such, I have had no discussions with the Secretary of State in relation to my intention to adopt the Environment Strategy as Northern Ireland’s first Environmental Improvement Plan under the Act.