Farmers assured over National Parks

AGRICULTURE Minister Michelle O’Neill has moved to assure farmers and rural dwellers that they will be involved in the debate surrounding National Parks.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood is currently looking into the possibility of designating one or more areas in Northern Ireland a National Park.

Meanwhile, the Ulster Society for the Protection of the Countryside are actively campaigning for the Benevnagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to be included alongside the Causeway Coast and Antrim Glens as the “first and easiest option” for Northern Ireland’s first National Park.

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TUV representative Boyd Douglas, an elected representative on Limavady Borough Council, however, has pointed to farmer’s concerns for potential over-regulation associated with National Parks.

Now, Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill has moved to assure farmers and rural dwellers that they will be “involved in any debate”.

After a written question from an SDLP MLA about what advice she has given to farmers and residents in areas being considered for National Park designation, the Sinn Féin Minister said: “My Department has consistently held the position that farmers and rural dwellers must be

fully involved in any debate on establishing National Parks and that their concerns must be taken into account. Also, that no additional controls should be placed on farming activities and a National Park could only proceed with the co-operation and support of farmers and rural dwellers.

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“My Department has consistently put forward this view to the Department of Environment, which leads on this issue.

“I recognise that farmers and rural dwellers have a wide range of concerns; including access to land,

liability, governance, bureaucracy, additional restrictions, and the potential impact on rural communities.

“Should any proposal come before the Executive, I will seek to ensure that these concerns are at the

forefront of considerations. I believe that a national park could only proceed with the agreement of the people in that area.”