Major breaches of environmental law "obscene and deeply disturbing" - Cllr Smyth

Green Party Councillor for Lisnasharragh Brian Smyth has reacted to the BBC investigation of a major chicken supplier in the UK, which has breached environmental laws without prosecution.

Cllr Smyth said "It is absolutely obscene and deeply disturbing that Moy Park has broken environmental laws in Northern Ireland on more than 500 occasions without ever facing prosecution."

"The Northern Ireland Executive gave the green light to the Going for Growth strategy in 2015, which has led to industrial agriculture being ramped up to unsustainable and dangerous levels, which are poisoning our land and waterways, including Lough Neagh."

"Add in a broken planning system and a lack of any accountability within the Executive and Civil Service, is it any wonder Northern Ireland is the 12th worst place on the planet for biodiversity."

Cllr Smyth added "The question now must be asked, when does the Stormont Executive finally step up and deliver good governance which protects our land, water and human health?"

"Or do they collectively continue to be climate cowards?"

ENDS