News & Events

Analyses of Asian hornet nests

In line with the findings of these reports, NIEA staff and their wider DAERA, CAFRE and AFBI colleagues will be monitoring for the possibility of emerging queens over the coming months. AFBI publish their Vespa velutina nest dissection report from Dundonald in October 2025. Fera Science Ltd (formerly the Food and Environment Research Agency) have […]

Scientists urge greater vigilance as first record of Quagga mussel is confirmed in Northern Ireland.

NIEA publish an updated Species Alert for the invasive Quagga Mussel. The first confirmed case of the highly invasive quagga mussel in Northern Ireland has been reported in Lower Lough Erne. This was confirmed on 10 December following DNA analysis at Queen’s University Belfast. The quagga mussel is a small bivalve mollusc similar to the […]

The Second Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Forum

Following the success of the inaugural Forum in 2024, the second Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Forum was held in Belfast on the 4th November 2025. This year’s event once again brought together representatives from across sectors; industry, public bodies, and non-governmental organisations, to strengthen collaboration on invasive species and biosecurity across the island […]

Forum to share knowledge and strengthen collaboration on invasive species on the island of Ireland

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir addresses the Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Forum 4th November 2025

Successful removal of first Asian Hornet nest in Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has successfully completed the safe and controlled removal of an Asian Hornet nest in Dundonald today (18 October), close to the location of the first reported sighting on 10 October. The Asian hornet nest found in Dundonald that was successfully removed. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has successfully […]

Invasive Species Northern Ireland