26 October 2000

WILDLIFE A WINNER IN £10 MILLION INJECTION BOOST FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Wildlife in Northern Ireland will benefit with additional resources going to landowners, voluntary bodies and District Councils.

That was a key message in the recently announced draft Budget and Programme for Government, which will provide a £10 million boost for the environment in Northern Ireland.

Under the Programme for Government, the Executive has committed itself to enact a number of EC Directives, which address the conservation of wildlife, the prevention of pollution and the disposal of waste.

Welcoming the Programme for Government, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Sam Foster, said: " It is very necessary that we fulfil our obligations under these European Directives. At worst, we could be fined if we fail to meet these obligations. That would be a waste of taxpayers' money. But we also owe it to ourselves to maintain a high quality environment, not only for today's generation but for future generations as well.

"There is though much hard work to be done. Firstly we have to employ extra staff to transpose these Directives into domestic legislation. But there is no

point in having this legislation if we do not have the ability to enforce it. That is why I intend to recruit more staff for the DOE's Environment and Heritage Service. It will need to monitor and regulate the action required to protect and improve our environment.

"Over £7 million will go to meet non staff costs of implementing EC Directives. Wildlife will benefit from additional resources to manage designated sites. Payments to landowners, voluntary bodies and district councils will enhance the Department's ability to encourage good conservation management at these sites. Wildlife in the wider countryside will also benefit with the implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy when it is agreed by Government next year.

"A large proportion will be spent on waste management, including grant support to district councils for the implementation of their Waste Management Plans when they are finalised next year. Increased funding will also enable work to be taken forward on water and air quality."

Mr Foster concluded: "Essentially the environment is the air and lungs of our society. For too long it has been underfunded. But now, through the Programme for Government, we are seeing, in real terms, what a local administration can do for local people."

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

For further information please contact Philip Maguire DOE Press Office Tel 02890 540013