Lough Neagh: Earl of Shaftesbury 'open to exploring options' on Lough Neagh

The Earl of Shaftesbury has said his position on the ownership of the lakebed of Lough Neagh is unchanged.

He was speaking after meeting Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir.

The earl said he was "open to exploring options" to ensure a "secure and sustainable future" for the lough.

He also expressed his "firm commitment" to working with the minister and other stakeholders to find a "comprehensive, long-term solution".

Lough Neagh supplies half of Belfast's drinking water and 40% of Northern Ireland's overall.

Campaigners say pollution is killing the lake, with wildlife and birds suffering after blue-green algal blooms appeared last summer

The Shaftesbury estate has held ownership of the bed and soil of Lough Neagh since the 19th century, after the Chichester family took control in the 17th century.

There have been calls for the lough to be taken into public ownership as part of addressing the problems that led to unprecedented algal blooms last year.

The Earl of Shaftesbury, Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, said the blooms "highlighted the severe risks to human and animal health, emphasising the pressing need for a centrally managed government body with the authority to regulate activities impacting the lough's health and protection".

Nicholas Ashley-Cooper previously told BBC News NI he was willing to sell the bed and soil of the lough

The earl is paid a royalty for every tonne of sand extracted from two zones licensed for extraction in the north-west of the Lough.

A maximum of 1.5m tonnes may be extracted per year.