WWF-UK: The 'case for an EPA' is wheeled into Stormont Environment Committee
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The 'case for an EPA' is wheeled into Stormont Environment Committee
Green campaigners this morning wheeled a suitcase up to Parliament Buildings, containing more than 50 reports calling for the creation of an independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Northern
Ireland. The conservation organisations showed off 'the case for an EPA' ahead of their appearance in front of the Assembly's Environment Committee. Inside the suitcase were 51 reports including several that were commissioned by Government: all have called for the creation of an independent environmental watchdog for the region. The oldest was published in 1962, the last in January 2008.
Lisa Fagan of Friends of the Earth spoke on behalf of the Coalition for Environmental Protection:
"The need for an EPA was recognised as early as 1962 with the publication of the Abercorn report, and calls for its creation have continued right into the present with the publication last month of the
report of the Independent Water Review Panel. Today we are presenting more than 50 reports to the Stormont Environment Committee, spanning 46
years. Given the evidence base which we present today, we look forward to a sympathetic hearing from the Committee and, in due course, the
right decision by the Environment Minister, Arlene Foster."
Dr James Robinson of RSPB added:
"It's important to understand that we aren't asking for the creation of an additional body: Northern Ireland already has an environmental regulator in the shape of DOE Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) and we imagine that most staff would transfer across to the new agency. Research which we commissioned shows that an EPA would not cost more to run than EHS does at present, and that the set-up costs could be offset by efficiency savings within 5 years. Furthermore, there are many benefits of independent regulation which would accrue to Northern Ireland's environment and its economy".
Diane Ruddock of National Trust pointed to the growing consensus on the need for an agency:
"Stakeholders across all sectors have endorsed our call for the creation of an EPA: our campaign enjoys the support of political parties, business leaders, consumer champions, anglers, rural representatives and respected environmentalists. The combined membership of our nine organisations exceeds 100,000 people, spread across all 18 constituencies. As our political leaders prepare to make their decision on this important question, we urge them to consider the evidence, listen to the stakeholders and heed the public mood."
Ireland. The conservation organisations showed off 'the case for an EPA' ahead of their appearance in front of the Assembly's Environment Committee. Inside the suitcase were 51 reports including several that were commissioned by Government: all have called for the creation of an independent environmental watchdog for the region. The oldest was published in 1962, the last in January 2008.
Lisa Fagan of Friends of the Earth spoke on behalf of the Coalition for Environmental Protection:
"The need for an EPA was recognised as early as 1962 with the publication of the Abercorn report, and calls for its creation have continued right into the present with the publication last month of the
report of the Independent Water Review Panel. Today we are presenting more than 50 reports to the Stormont Environment Committee, spanning 46
years. Given the evidence base which we present today, we look forward to a sympathetic hearing from the Committee and, in due course, the
right decision by the Environment Minister, Arlene Foster."
Dr James Robinson of RSPB added:
"It's important to understand that we aren't asking for the creation of an additional body: Northern Ireland already has an environmental regulator in the shape of DOE Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) and we imagine that most staff would transfer across to the new agency. Research which we commissioned shows that an EPA would not cost more to run than EHS does at present, and that the set-up costs could be offset by efficiency savings within 5 years. Furthermore, there are many benefits of independent regulation which would accrue to Northern Ireland's environment and its economy".
Diane Ruddock of National Trust pointed to the growing consensus on the need for an agency:
"Stakeholders across all sectors have endorsed our call for the creation of an EPA: our campaign enjoys the support of political parties, business leaders, consumer champions, anglers, rural representatives and respected environmentalists. The combined membership of our nine organisations exceeds 100,000 people, spread across all 18 constituencies. As our political leaders prepare to make their decision on this important question, we urge them to consider the evidence, listen to the stakeholders and heed the public mood."