001004a-env VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE SAM FOSTER IS TOLD AT BIODIVERSITY LAUNCH Department of Environment 4 October 2000

4 October 2000
VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE SAM FOSTER IS TOLD AT BIODIVERSITY LAUNCH

Variety is the Spice of Life

How often have we heard the phrase? Yet for the environment to survive and flourish, variety is essential.

The variety of plants, of people, of animals, of ecosystems is essential to us today and will be for our children in the future. It can be put in one word "BIODIVERSITY."

That is why the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group, made up of people from a wide variety of backgrounds, has been examining how our rich environment can be conserved and enhanced.

The Group presented seventy-six recommendations for action to the Minister for the Environment, Sam Foster at Malone House Belfast today.

Mr Foster in congratulating the Biodiversity Group for its work said: "The natural heritage which we all enjoy here is a prime resource. We all know something of the

quality of our countryside and coastline and in many parts, the richness of its wildlife. The problem is that it is easy to take this resource for granted and to under-estimate the threats to it, until it is too late and the damage is done.
"One of the most striking features of this natural heritage is its biological diversity. This biodiversity contributes to our economy, for example, through tourism. It improves the quality of our lives. And it is important simply because the various species and habitats have a value in themselves. We must not deprive our children of the right to enjoy them."

Amidst these weighty matters, thirty citizens of the future, presently attending Mersey Street and Saint Kevin's Primary Schools in Belfast, explored fungi out in the Malone House grounds before bringing some of their finds in to show the Minister.

"We must ensure that children like these can enjoy the environment in the future as well as today. We must encourage them to learn about and value the environment we live in and encourage them to become involved in looking after it," Mr Foster said.

The Minister also announced the publication of Action Plans relating to three important species: the Curlew, the Chough and the Irish Hare. He said:

"These Action Plans will point the way to help restore these species. Mammals like the Hare, and birds such as the Curlew and the Chough are typical of the variety of our natural environment, but they are sadly in decline."

The recommendations from the Biodiversity Group include priority action in 20 habitats and a large number of species. Revised farming policies, the protection of woodland and coastlines, water pollution, tourism, peatlands, research, monitoring and education are all addressed.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Since the Rio Earth Summit of 1992, the UK has been committed to the conservation and enhancement of biological diversity within its own territory and globally.

The UK Plan was published in 1994 and Biodiversity Groups in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are steering the Government towards action to conserve and protect key species and habitats.

In June last year the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group undertook a public consultation exercise to help draft the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy among the farming, local government and voluntary sectors.

These recommendations underline issues affecting biodiversity conservation here and propose courses of action by key players, especially central government.

The Group urge the Minister and his Executive / Assembly colleagues to incorporate these recommendations into the Northern Ireland Biodiversity strategy and to develop Action Plans involving key players to implement the Strategy.

Copies of the Biodiversity Report entitled "Recommendations to Government for a Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy" are available from Richard Weyl, Environment and Heritage Service, Commonwealth House, Castle Street Belfast BT1 1GH Tel 028 9054 6589 e-mail richard.weyl@doeni.gov.uk.

Members of the Biodiversity Group along with pen pictures are as follows:

Mr Richard Rogers (Chair)

Director of Environmental Policy Division EHS.

Dr Bob Brown

Director Northern Ireland For RSPB. Formerly head warden of the National Trust's Strangford Lough Wildlife Scheme. A marine biologist by training, he has published a wide range of papers and articles on wildlife.

Dr David Erwin OBE

Director of Ulster Wildlife Trust. Formerly Keeper of Botany and Zoology at Ulster museum. A marine biologist by training and an experienced diver.

Dr Paul Johnston

Independent fisheries consultant engaged in projects both north and south of the border. Training in biology with freshwater fisheries as specialist subject.

Dr Philip Doughty

Head of the Sciences Division, Ulster Museum. Member of the Geo Conservation Commission of the Geological Society of London. Chairman of the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club.

Mr Ken Forbes

Director of the Environmental Services with Banbridge District Council. Chairman of Local Government Training Group on Local Agenda 21. Representative of Association of Local Authorities of Northern Ireland on United Kingdom Local Agenda 21 Steernig Group.

Mr Mervyn Rankin

Chief Executive of Ballymena Borough Council and member of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. He has 30 years wide experience as a Local Government Officer.

Mr Ronnie Farrell

A dairy farmer from Lisnaskea, he is the UFU representative on the Group. Chairman of the Dairy Council and Board Member of United Dairy Farmers. Past President of UFU. Board Member of Dromoma Quality Foods.

Mr Wilfred Mitchell

Secretary and former Chairman of NIAPA. Director of Agriculture Research and Development Council. Has extensive experience of both business and community issues. Member of NI Rural Development Council.

Mrs Pat Hunter

She represents the CBI on the Group. Employed by BP, she has been to the forefront of BP's health, safety and environment promotional strategies in Northern Ireland.

Ms Jo Whatmough MBE

Recently retired from the National Trust where she was Regional Adviser for Nature Conservation. She has MBE wide experience and knowledge of conservation issues and over the years has influenced the environmental debate in Northern Ireland. Awarded MBE for services to the environment.

Dr Harry Gracey

Dr Gracey is head of Countryside Management Division, Department of Agriculture.

Dr Howard Platt

Principal Scientific Officer in the Environment and Heritage Service.

Dr John Faulkner

Director of Natural Heritage in the Environment and Heritage Service.

Mr Richard Rogers (Chair)	Director of Environmental Policy Division EHS.
Dr Bob Brown	Director Northern Ireland For RSPB. Formerly head warden of the National Trust's Strangford Lough Wildlife Scheme. A marine biologist by training, he has published a wide range of papers and articles on wildlife.
Dr David Erwin OBE	Director of Ulster Wildlife Trust. Formerly Keeper of Botany and Zoology at Ulster museum. A marine biologist by training and an experienced diver.
Dr Paul Johnston	Independent fisheries consultant engaged in projects both north and south of the border. Training in biology with freshwater fisheries as specialist subject.
Dr Philip Doughty	Head of the Sciences Division, Ulster Museum. Member of the Geo Conservation Commission of the Geological Society of London. Chairman of the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club.
Mr Ken Forbes	Director of the Environmental Services with Banbridge District Council. Chairman of Local Government Training Group on Local Agenda 21. Representative of Association of Local Authorities of Northern Ireland on United Kingdom Local Agenda 21 Steernig Group.
Mr Mervyn Rankin	Chief Executive of Ballymena Borough Council and member of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. He has 30 years wide experience as a Local Government Officer.
Mr Ronnie Farrell	A dairy farmer from Lisnaskea, he is the UFU representative on the Group. Chairman of the Dairy Council and Board Member of United Dairy Farmers. Past President of UFU. Board Member of Dromoma Quality Foods.
Mr Wilfred Mitchell	Secretary and former Chairman of NIAPA. Director of Agriculture Research and Development Council. Has extensive experience of both business and community issues. Member of NI Rural Development Council.
Mrs Pat Hunter	She represents the CBI on the Group. Employed by BP, she has been to the forefront of BP's health, safety and environment promotional strategies in Northern Ireland.
Ms Jo Whatmough MBE	Recently retired from the National Trust where she was Regional Adviser for Nature Conservation. She has MBE wide experience and knowledge of conservation issues and over the years has influenced the environmental debate in Northern Ireland. Awarded MBE for services to the environment.
Dr Harry Gracey	Dr Gracey is head of Countryside Management Division, Department of Agriculture.
Dr Howard Platt	Principal Scientific Officer in the Environment and Heritage Service.
Dr John Faulkner	Director of Natural Heritage in the Environment and Heritage Service.