Question Time: Environment Tuesday 22 September 2015
Environment
Minister Mark Durkan discussed the production of genetically modified (GM) crops
in Northern Ireland during today’s
Question Time. The European Commission has put in place arrangements to
allow member states to opt out of producing GM crops – an opportunity that the
Minister intends to exploit. The Minister urged that “I remain unconvinced of
their advantages. I considered it prudent to prohibit their cultivation for the
foreseeable future. In addition, the pattern of land use here and the
relatively small size of many agricultural holdings would create potential
difficulties if we were to seek to keep GM and non-GM crops separate. I
consider that the costs of doing so could be significant and, in many cases,
totally impractical.” Mr Durkan is also concerned that the production of GM
crops would compromise our country’s “clean, green image”. The Minister also
addressed concerns about the import of GM products such as animal foodstuffs
but reassured that “I am certainly satisfied that the approved varieties of
genetically modified feed pose no risk to either the environment or human
health.”
The Minister
then discussed the important issue of climate change and his intention to
attend the 2015 United Nations’ climate change conference in Paris. Mr Durkan
highlighted the negative impact that severe weather events has had on our
health, homes, businesses and way of life, emphasising the importance of
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. “The main aim of the 2015 United Nations
conference in Paris will be to achieve a new international agreement to create
the vital framework that the world needs to limit the average global
temperature increase to below 2°C. By successfully doing so, we will help to
combat climate change effectively, boost the transition towards resilient,
low-carbon societies and avoid the worst impacts of climate change. ” The
Minister stressed how critical it is to deliver a global climate agreement that
is unquestionably in our, and the entire global community's, best interests.
During
Question Time the Minister also answered questions on the environmental impact
of the Sellafield nuclear power plant incident, environmental protection and
car parking at Belfast City Airport. During the period for topical questions Mr
Durkan also answered questions on the northern area plan, the Environmental
Protection Agency and the environmental impact of bonfire sites.
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