Elliott voices frustrations over Environment & Heritage Service
Ulster Unionist Agriculture Spokesperson Tom Elliott has hit out at the Environment & Heritage Service (EHS), saying the agency “had no sense of reason, practicality, flexibility or common-sense when dealing with the farming community”.
Mr Elliott went on to suggest that EHS is destroying the agricultural community and its economy.
In a statement, the Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA said: “In my experience, the EHS is more interested in enforcement and punishment of farmers than engagement and partnership. However they are not pursuing illegal dumping with the same vigour.
“The EHS staff roll has doubled over the past six years – and while the EHS expands, red tape expands. This puts unnecessary pressure on farmers and negatively affects business. In my view, confidence in the EHS among farmers is now at an all-time low, in fact almost non-existent.
“There are currently 71 different applications on the EHS website for various issues that the vast majority of people have never heard of, or understand. I question if many within EHS even understand them.
“Farming has come under enormous strain of recent years. In a 25-year period farm business units dropped from 47,000 to 30,000 - a decrease of some 36%. The numbers recorded as working on farms dropped from 72,000 to 58,000 - a decrease of 20%. That equates to an estimated full-time equivalent workforce of 35,400 in 2000.
“While there are many reasons behind this decline, the bottom line is clear – the rural economy must be afforded every assistance so as to ensure its survival. So why does the EHS continually hinder rather than help the farmer?
“In general farmers do recognise and respect their responsibilities in relation to areas of natural and historic interest. But while the EHS concentrates on over-regulating responsible farmers, they seem to be turning a blind eye to large-scale illegal dumping of waste, particularly in the border areas.
“I accept that these are complex issues and that safeguards must be in place. But a firm approach must not constrain decent farmers from managing their farms properly.
“EHS need to get off their throne and out of their ivory towers and attempt to build a future of co-operation with the real custodians of the countryside instead of their direct conflict approach.”