Allister gives full backing to Rose Energy application
20 June 2008
Jim Allister MEP has declared his full backing to the Rose Energy application, for a £100 million biomass power plant to be fired on poultry litter. The MEP has declared his support in writing to the Planning Minister, backing the planning application which has recently been submitted.
The MEP said,
“I understand the importance of an off-farm solution for spent poultry litter being found to enable the Northern Ireland poultry sector comply with new environmental legislation. To date I have received almost 300 petitions, largely from producers, concerned that a temporary derogation to EC legislation permitting the stacking of spent litter in fields will end at this year. Therefore, action must be taken now to put an alternative in place.”
“The Rose Energy Project is a model of collaboration between Glenfarm, producers, and the two main poultry processors, which is in itself a credit to the industry locally. This £100 million project is a must in safeguarding the future sustainability of the sector. Of course, key public benefits will be delivered by the new project, in particular the amount of energy which this ‘green powerplant’ will produce in an environmentally sustainable way. As a province, we have an obligation to reduce our carbon footprint, and of course we must seize the economic advantages in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.”
“That is why I make no apology for registering my support squarely behind the Rose Energy project. It is a pity that Executive Ministers –who ultimately will accept –or reject this project, have yet to declare where they stand. In particular, as a consultee to the Planning process, will DETI once and for all confirm if they support this project going ahead?”
ENDS
