To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what consultation his Department has conducted with stakeholders on the Biodiversity Strategy for Northern Ireland.

The Biodiversity Strategy for Northern Ireland is being developed through a co-design process of engagement with a wide range of key stakeholders.

The department has engaged with government departments, councils and other public bodies. Organisations representing marine and land users as well as environmental non-governmental organisations have been engaged over the past few months. The initial feedback from these discussions will inform two larger stakeholder events planned for October, where we will work with stakeholders to create and refine Northern Ireland specific targets that will align with the outcomes required by the Convention of Biological Diversity.