Archived press release

Green groups launch postcard campaign demanding new environment watchdog

23 November 2006

People across Northern Ireland are being urged to tell the local political parties they care about the environment and want to see a new agency established to protect it. The call comes as nine leading green groups launched a postcard campaign aimed at securing an Environmental Protection Agency for the region. This is the only part of the UK and Ireland not to have an independent environment watchdog.

Speaking on behalf of the Coalition for Environmental Protection [1], Hilary McGrady, Northern Ireland Director of the National Trust said:

"Judging by the volume of calls, emails and letters we receive at our offices each year, people in Northern Ireland care deeply about the environment and want to see it properly protected. The postcard campaign we're launching today allows people to convey that message to the local political parties."

Members of the public are being asked to send a message to the party of their choice, calling for the creation of an Environmental Protection Agency, as well as greater priority for the environment and additional resources for its protection. Forty thousand postcards have been printed to coincide with publication of the Interim Report of the Review of Environmental Governance, an independent inquiry established by Government to decide whether Northern Ireland should have an EPA [2].

Launching the campaign, James Orr, Northern Ireland Director of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, said:

"We are encouraged by the interim inquiry report which found 'almost universal support' for the creation of an agency. We must not be complacent however, especially in this uncertain political climate. It's essential the local parties understand how important the environment is to their voters and how great is the appetite for reform."

The green groups advised the political parties to expect a full postbag over the coming weeks and months.

Patrick Cregg, Northern Ireland Director of the Woodland Trust concluded:

"All over Northern Ireland, people are weary of the pollution of rivers and streams, the threats to our native wildlife, and the neglect of our historic buildings [3]. That is why our environment needs a fresh start and in particular a new Environmental Protection Agency, one that is independent of Government and properly resourced to do its work."

Notes

[1] (back) The Coalition for Environmental Protection comprises:

Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland
Friends of the Earth
National Trust
Northern Ireland Environment Link
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Ulster Wildlife Trust
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
Woodlands Trust
WWF (Northern Ireland)

[2] (back) The Interim Report and further information are published at www.regni.info

[3] At present, DOE Environment and Heritage Service is Northern Ireland's environmental regulator, however the Coalition wants to see a new regulator established in the shape of an Environmental Protection Agency.

[4] The postcards will be mailed to members of our nine organisations and distributed via fairs, public meetings, street stalls etc. They are available from Shirelle Stewart on shirelle.stewart@rspb.org.uk or telephone 028 9049 1547. A pdf version of the postcard is available to journalists on request.

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