Agriculture minister backs calls for incinerator inquiry

AGRICULTURE and Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew has called for a public inquiry into controversial plans by Rose Energy to build an incinerator in Glenavy, which she said could also examine alternatives to incineration for chicken waste.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Feb 2010, 14:33 BST
Updated 11th Feb 2010, 14:37 BST

Speaking after a meeting with the management of Randox Laboratories, the Minister said she understood the concerns of the community about the proposed incinerator but also acknowledged the urgent need for local farmers to dispose of poultry waste.

Randox chief executive Peter Fitzgerald had warned that approval of the Rose Energy application could eventually force the company out of Crumlin to its manufacturing plant in Donegal, or other locations, at a cost of millions of pounds in capital expenditure and lost employment becasue of concerns that emissions from the plant would be "a clear and immediate danger to our highly sensitive manufacturing process and the range of products we make."

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Mrs Gildernew said: "My ministerial responsibilities span both poultry farmers who have poultry litter to dispose of and those who live in the Glenavy area and the concerns of all must be considered.

"I recognise that the proposal to build an incinerator at the Glenavy site is a contentious issue. I understand Randox Laboratories' concerns about the potential impact which the proposed plant could have on their business operations, their employees and on animal health in the surrounding area. I am also aware that other concerns exist throughout the area.

"I recognise the proposal by Rose Energy is a contentious issue. I have listened to the concerns of Randox and residents and I have met with Rose Energy," she continued.

"It is the Minister for the Environment who will be tasked with making a decision but I would put on record that I believe a public inquiry would be an appropriate vehicle so that the Minister has all of the information available to him before he makes a decision."

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Mrs Gildernew also said the inquiry could examine alternative means of disposing of waste products.

"Other people are looking at other means of disposing of poultry litter and I think there are alternatives, on a smaller scale, that are being looked at "Ultimately what I want to see is a solution to the poultry litter problem that we are facing," she continued.

"I don't think we can be fixated on looking at only one option because this is a huge decision for the residents of Glenavy."

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