Press Release - NBA clearly states its opposition to proposed national parks in Northern Ireland

NBA clearly states its opposition to proposed national parks in Northern Ireland

Responding to a consultation document published by Northern Ireland’s Department of Environment, the National Beef Association (NBA) clearly stated the reasons why it opposes plans to create one or more national parks in the province.

The NBA’s response highlighted the commitment of farmers in working with the environment, but raised concerns that creating national parks would actually work against this balanced approach, rather than in its favour.

It argued national parks would reduce the ability of farmers to be competitive, replacing their current flexibility to respond to market forces with increased regulation and draconian planning rules. This extra layer of bureaucracy could force farmers out of business, changing the makeup of rural communities and the appearance of landscape (the two things national parks claim to protect) with tracts of land even ending up as wildernesses and doing nothing to encourage tourism.

The knock-on effect for allied industries would be huge, the NBA argued, creating unemployment and counteracting the additional jobs potentially generated in the tourism sector. The NBA said tourism could be strengthened without opting for national parks, by better use of the AONB ‘trademark’ and promotion of the whole of Northern Ireland  as  a beautiful, green and rugged land, rather than just focusing on one area with national park status.

The NBA highlighted the difference between land in Northern Ireland being considered for national park status and that in national parks on the mainland. It said much of the Northern Ireland land was privately owned, densely populated and, for the main, very fertile. Farmers were also often part-time and more rules and regulations altering how land is managed would not be welcome or conjunctive to farms remaining viable.

Oisin Murnion, NBA Northern Ireland Chairman, says: “The decision about national parks must be put in the hands of the people who live and work in the designated areas, and not the people who want to visit for short periods of time.

“We hope the Department seriously considers our opposition, and that of other agricultural organisations, and reconsiders this course of action. If they do insist on going down this route, and given the nature of land ownership in NI and the fact much of the recreation and enjoyment being talked about as the ‘right of the public’ is at the expense of the farming industry, we would suggest landowners should be compensated for the service they are providing.

“This would need careful management but at the moment we are very concerned about the financial impact of the proposals and the lack of any money coming forward. We are concerned that currently the proposals would see all available funding being sucked up by a national park authority with none available for the active farmer on the ground.”

The consultation deadline was Monday 31st October 2011, meaning the Department of Environment is now considering all the responses submitted.

For more information contact:-

Oisin Murnion            NBA NI Chairman                 Tel: 07739 632048

Joanne Pugh             NBA Assistant Director        Tel: 07579 009648