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Top polluters uncovered

Friends of the Earth today welcomed the publication of Europe's Pollution Emission Register which includes many Northern Ireland companies.  Commenting, Campaigner Declan Allison said:

"This pollution report from Europe's Environmental Protection Agency reveals how polluted Northern Ireland really is.  Twenty nine of the worst polluters are listed including power stations, landfill sites, chemical works and food producers.  Together they are pumping a cocktail of chemicals into the air and water - and the cumulative effect could be damaging people's health and the environment."

"Inclusion on the list doesn't indicate the company is in breach of pollution laws, but it should be sufficiently embarrassing to be an incentive to clean up their business.  And the information could be invaluable to community groups eager to challenge the environmentally damaging practices of these companies."

"In England and Wales the Environment Agency publishes a more detailed report.  In Northern Ireland there is no equivalent organisation. Instead the job is done by DOE, which is why we have been campaigning for an independent environmental protection agency.  We would like to see the Northern Ireland Environmental Protection Agency publish a detailed chemical release inventory, when it is created."

For the full Pollution Emission Register go to www.eper.ec.europa.eu/