Archived press release

Wilson appointment a mistake say environmentalists

9 June 2008

Environmentalists reacted with concern at the appointment of Sammy Wilson to the post of Environment Minister today. John Woods, Northern Ireland Director of Friends of the Earth said.

"I congratulate Sammy Wilson on his appointment but I believe it is a mistake. Mr Wilson is well known for his sceptical views on climate change [1]; it is difficult to see how a Minister who holds such views in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence could be a credible protector of our environment. But the test will be how Sammy Wilson approaches his new responsibilities. The jury is out on this appointment - he has a good deal to prove."

Friends of the Earth set out the main items in the new Minister's in-tray.

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  The decision of the outgoing Minister Arlene Foster to deny Northern Ireland an Environmental Protection Agency places Sammy Wilson in the eye of a storm. He will have to contend with the anger and determination of an Assembly that is overwhelmingly in favour of an EPA. A Petition of Referral has been signed by 30 MLAs, triggering a discussion by the Executive where Wilson will come under pressure to have a re-think. Supporters of an agency are looking to the other three Executive parties to deliver on their manifesto commitments, describing this as a key test for devolution and democracy.
  
  
• Climate change
  The Assembly having opted into the UK Climate Change Bill, pressure will grow on the Environment Minister to bring forward legislation creating legally-binding targets for cuts in Northern Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions. Cuts will be essential if Northern Ireland is to do its fair share in tackling climate change and will also help business prepare for a low-carbon future.
  
  
• PPS14
  Arlene Foster was unable to achieve the consensus necessary in the Executive Subcommittee to publish a revised draft of this controversial policy before leaving her post. Environmental groups are urging Sammy Wilson to defend the existing draft policy in order to protect the rural landscape and water quality, and keep a lid on carbon emissions. John Woods, Northern Ireland Director of Friends of the Earth said:
  
  "Sammy Wilson and his colleagues on the Executive Subcommittee would do well to consider rising oil prices before locking Northern Ireland into a dispersed settlement pattern that is heavily dependent on oil for commuting."
  
  
• Planning Reform
  Arlene Foster began a process of planning reform whose primary objective was haste rather than sustainable development. If Northern Ireland is to develop in ways that do not erode our environmental asset, sustainable development must become the focus of the planning system.
  
  
• Biodiversity loss
  Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK not to have set itself the target of halting biodiversity loss by 2010 and has opted for 2016 instead, citing inadequate resources as its reason. This opt-out leaves the UK non-compliant with its international obligations under the 2002 Gothenburg Agreement.
  
  
• Regulating NI Water pollution
  Crown Immunity was removed from Water Service when it became Northern Ireland Water. Despite this, an agreement [2] between Environment and Heritage Service and NI Water contains a number of flaws which removes EHS's ability to enforce European law in a number of circumstances. This is a breach of one of the key articles of the Treaty of Rome and the Minister is likely to have to contend with an investigation by the European Commission.
  
  
• SEA compliance
  A High Court decision [3] that Northern Ireland does not comply with the EU Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive is currently being appealed by the DOE. The judge said that an independent EPA may have to be created for compliance to be achieved. Meanwhile Friends of the Earth has brought the matter to the attention of the European Commission. The Minister may have to revisit his predecessor's decision to rule out an EPA.

Notes

[1] (back) For example, in a House of Commons debate on 14 May 2008, Mr Wilson described increases in Vehicle Excise Duty as "a cynical attempt to exploit the hysteria about the role of CO2 emissions in climate change."

[2] Statement of Regulatory Principles and Intent, EHS

[3] Read the High Court decision on Nortehrn Ireland's compliance with the SEA Directive

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