Filthy factories, dodgy dumps and squalid sewage

Friends of the Earth (Northern Ireland)

Press release

Embargoed until 00.01 Wednesday 23 March 2005

Filthy factories, dodgy dumps and squalid sewage: new guide published

Owners of polluting factories and landfill sites across Northern Ireland were put on notice this week as Friends of the Earth published a new guide to fighting pollution. The briefing which is free of charge gives individuals and communities the information they need to tackle pollution in their area.

Commenting as it was published, the guide's author, Friends of the Earth Campaigner Lisa Fagan, explained that Northern Ireland did not deserve its clean, green reputation:

"Recent media reports have exploded the myth that Northern Ireland is a green and pleasant land. Raw sewage is pumped into the sea at Portrush, Larne, Bangor and Donaghadee, and the countryside is littered with illegal dumps. Northern Ireland's failure to comply with European environmental law prompted Friends of the Earth to make six separate complaints to the European Commission [1]. Our new guide enables people living in the shadow of this pollution to get involved in the campaign".

Ms Fagan continued:

"Whether your problem is a dodgy dump, a filthy factory, or a squalid sewage outfall, this guide will help get you started. Obtaining official information, getting effluent samples tested, writing a press release, holding a public meeting and lobbying your elected representative - the guide covers all the essentials of pollution campaigning in an easy step-by-step format."

The guide is available free of charge from Friends of the Earth.
Telephone 028 9023 3488 or email colettew@foe.co.uk for your copy, alternatively you can download it from www.foe.co.uk/ni

Ends

Notes to editors

[1] Friends of the Earth has made six complaints to the European
Commission in recent months concerning Northern Ireland's failure to comply with European environmental law. The complaints are as follows:

Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive: failure to treat sewage properly before discharging to water. Treaty of Rome: failure to lift Crown Immunity in order that Water Service pollution may be properly regulated. Landfill Directive: failure to ensure that landfill sites which are closing are subject to tough monitoring/management for as long as they pose a threat to health and the environment. Waste Framework Directive: two complaints concerning illegal landfill sites and cross-border dumping of waste. Habitats Directive: failure to protect the horse mussels of Strangford Lough from decline caused by trawling and dredging.

Lisa Fagan
Campaigner
Friends of the Earth
7 Donegall Street Place
Belfast
BT1 2FN

Switchboard: 028 9023 3488
Direct line: 028 9023 3600
Fax: 028 9024 7556
Email: lisaf@foe.co.uk