ENVIRONMENT Minister Andrew Muir has insisted that he isn't "playing the blame game" when it comes to blue-green algae on Lough Erne. 

During a recent visit to Castle Archdale, Minister Muir met with officials from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), and revealed that new research regarding blue-green algae on Lough Erne will now be carried out. 

In a media interview, Minister Muir said that some of the main causation factors of blue-green algae included "agricultural run-off", "waste water infrastructure", "septic tanks" and "industry". 

However, he stressed that he wasn't interested in "the blame game" when asked if farmers were being unfairly blamed for the crisis.

"I am not into the blame game, as that's a destructive way to go," the Minister said. 

"In terms of agriculture, there's many really good examples of farmers who are exemplars, and some really good examples here in Fermanagh too.

"Look, I really don't want to go down that road. That's not where we need to be. We need to be focused on solutions.

"I am keen to work with the Council and agricultural community around this. We want to forge that engagement. 

"The only way to turn this around is by working together."

Minister Muir added that research was being undertaken to gain a "better understanding" of blue-green algae on the Erne system.

"We know very clearly what happened in the past, and we have an understanding of the general mix of causations, specific to each area," he said. 

"I want to do a bit more research to give people more of an understanding of what the particular issues are, specific to Lough Erne.

"The most crucial thing is taking action, going forward."