Archived press release

Anglers and environmentalists deliver damning dossiers on local polluters

2 April 2007

Friends of the Earth and Antrim and District Angling Association joined forces last week (Wednesday 28 March) to present damning dossiers on local polluters to the Review of Environmental Governance, in support of the call for an independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [1].

The dossiers were compiled as part of Friends of the Earth's 'Adopt a Polluter' campaign. Local polluters were investigated by a number of community groups and angling associations and the evidence was used to illustrate the wider malaise in our system of environmental protection [2].

The evidence in the dossiers portrays a callous disregard for the environment by the bodies that have a responsibility for protecting it. They highlight a number of governance failings, particularly from DOE's Environment and Heritage Service.

Deborah McLaughlin, Activism Co-ordinator at Friends of the Earth commented:

"We are not targeting the polluters in these dossiers but merely using them as an example to show the ineffectiveness of Environment and Heritage Service and to support the call for an independent Environmental Protection Agency. We need an agency that will act as a 'champion' for the environment and not a government agency that can be bound and gagged".

Alan Kirkpatrick has been Fisheries Manager for the Sixmilewater in Antrim for 20 years and has witnessed a litany of pollution offences. Alan said:

"It actually beggars belief how Environment and Heritage Service has consistently failed to safeguard our environment and precious waterways. An independent environmental regulator on the other hand, would have a clear sense of purpose to protect the environment, and no complicating factors to take into consideration such as protecting the profits of local companies."

Notes

[1] The Review team will publish their final report in Spring 2007 on the future of environmental governance in Northern Ireland. The interim report can be found at www.regni.info.

[2] The Adopt a Polluter pack is available for download.

Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland
7 Donegall Street Place
BELFAST
BT1 2FN
Tel: 028 9023 3488
Fax: 028 9024 7556
Email: foe-ni@foe.co.uk.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust