Executive incompetence putting Intensive sectors at risk
05 January 2008
Jim Allister QC MEP has said he is alarmed at the Executive’s incompetence as the poultry industry attempts to put in place measures essential to the sector being able to comply with the Nitrates Directive and IPPC.
The Traditional Unionist MEP said,
“A temporary EU derogation was secured to enable poultry litter to be heaped in fields until 31st December 2008. On the basis that the derogation is quickly coming to an end, an off-farm solution to dispose of litter is absolutely essential to the future sustainability of the local poultry sector.”
“I was frankly amazed then, to learn that after a year and a half of Government delay, Invest NI have finally decided to reject a joint proposal for Environment and Renewable Energy funding from Moy Park, O’Kane Poultry and Glenfarm Holdings, which would have had the capacity to handle nearly the entire bulk of poultry litter produced in Northern Ireland. This, despite the fact that then Agriculture Minister Lord Rooker recognised an off-farm solution, ‘would be critical in allowing key agri-food industries and their associated farms to maintain their current levels of production and employment’”.
“Furthermore, I am less than impressed by Minister Foster’s response, when I wrote to her asking what provision she would make in the interim, should a gap in time occur between the derogation for field storage of litter ending, and a new off-farm facility coming online. I wrote on the basis that the Environment and Heritage Service, an Agency under her Department’s remit, will be in charge of enforcing compliance with the requirements of the Nitrates Directive. Far from committing to take a tolerant approach in the circumstances, the Minister stated that it will fall on the poultry sector to investigate alternative sources for the safe and reliable disposal of their waste products to take them past the end of December 2008.”
“It appears to me that unless the Executive get their act together, and adopt a joined-up strategic approach to this very serious issue, then our poultry industry could face a very real threat. I suspect poultry producers will want to know when will local Ministers start working with the industry towards achieving a sensible outcome, on the basis that it is clearly producers who will be the fall guy if all else fails.”
ENDS
