Call grows for a new Ulster environment regulator

The push for a new environmental watchdog for Northern Ireland has received a timely boost with a string of high-profile individuals endorsing the demand. The list of supporters included business leaders, the head of the Consumer Council and Jonathan Porritt, chairman of the UK's Sustainable Development Commission. A coalition of the province's best-known green pressure groups has been pressing for a number of years for a new environmental protection agency. Such a body would operate outside central government control, taking over functions currently performed by the Department of the Environment. DUP Environment Minister Arlene Foster has still to give a formal response to the demand, which was also backed in a report last summer by a Government- appointed panel.

The campaigning coalition today published endorsements of the proposed reform from 21 people from different walks of life. They included: Eleanor Gill, chief executive of the Consumer Council; Nigel Smyth, director of CBI Northern Ireland; Seamus McAleavey, head of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action; Peter Dixon, chief of Phoenix Natural Gas, and John Warke, former head of the Planning Appeals Commission.

Also on the list was Mr Porritt, one of Britain's best known environmentalists and a sometime adviser to Prince Charles. His message of support stated: "Northern Ireland has come a long way over the last few years, far more than most people believed possible. The next step is to sort out some of the legacy of environmental neglect and that includes establishing an Environmental Protection Agency." Mr Porritt also said: "Good, smart regulation is not the enemy of wealth creators but absolutely their best friend, as has been proved many times all around the world."

Ms Gill, from the Consumer Council, today commented: "A strong, integrated Environmental Protection Agency here is long overdue. Consumers and taxpayers can't continue to pick up the tab for those who pollute our environment: those who pollute must pay for its clean-up. In our view, an independent environmental regulator is needed to consistently and vigorously apply the 'polluter pays' principle without exception in line with EU legislation. There is a unique opportunity to show how much we value our environment by moving decisively to establish this much-needed body and setting it to work."

Robbie Marshall, Development Officer with the Ulster Angling Federation, was also among those providing endorsements. He commented: "Water is the source and mainstay of life. Sadly over the years, our waterways have been neglected and mismanaged. We must not allow the mistakes of the past to continue. It is the opinion of the Ulster Angling Federation that, with the 'mish-mash' of Government departments involved with water, it would be better to have an independent and integrated Environmental Protection Agency. "

The 21 messages included endorsements from leading politicians from all the main Assembly parties, except the DUP. MLAs from the DUP are thought unlikely to speak out on the issue, until their Minister has announced her decision. But it's also no secret that elements within the party have been openly hostile to calls for a new agency - echoing criticism voiced by the Ulster Farmers Union. The Minister stressed on taking up office last year that she had an open mind on the debate.

© Belfast Telegraph