Archived press release

Chancellor gives the 'green light' on Quarry Tax

28 November 2001

Friends of the Earth (Northern Ireland) today welcomed the announcement by Chancellor Gordon Brown confirming that the Aggregates Levy will be introduced into Northern Ireland. The campaign group has been lobbying Government to introduce the tax on environmental grounds.

Friends of the Earth's Head of Campaigns John Woods said:

"We are delighted that the Chancellor has refused to give in to pressure from the quarrying industry to scrap the levy for Northern Ireland. The phased introduction of the levy will alleviate real concerns about the migration of jobs across the border while giving a clear signal to the construction industry that the use of recycled aggregates and alternative materials is the only sustainable way forward."

Northern Ireland extracts three times more stone, gravel and sand per capita than the rest of the UK, and has the highest use of cement in Europe. Friends of the Earth has been campaigning for the tax to be introduced in order to help alleviate some of the environmental problems caused by quarrying.

Mr Woods stated:

"Communities blighted by quarrying can hope for a future which is based on activities which respect the land rather than destroy it. And if other government departments seize this opportunity, there can be a transfer of employment to recycling aggregates; hardwood timber production; organic farming and food production for local needs; and tourism based on a high quality environment."

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