March 2007

HELP QUARRIES HELP THE ENVIRONMENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND-QUARRY PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION

The Quarry Products Association has asked all 108 MLAs to help free up nearly half a million pounds of sustainability funding which could help quarries deliver outstanding environmental projects for their local communities. Following the introduction of the Aggregates Levy in Northern Ireland the QPA negotiated a reduction in the levy from £1.60 to 32 pence per tonne on condition that companies signed up to delivering visible and measurable environmental benefits to those communities affected by quarrying. However, the fund, which is available elsewhere in the UK has so far been denied to Northern Ireland because of red tape.

Speaking as the QPA launched its new website, Chief Executive Gordon Best said that the new Assembly could deliver a major boost to the Province’s environment through the introduction of the scheme.

“The priority for our industry as a whole is to reduce our environmental impact and to continue to extract and deliver essential materials in a sustainable manner to meet the economic needs of Northern Ireland. There is now raised environmental awareness within the industry which has helped build relationships and partnerships with local communities and NGO groups which fulfil the aims of Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund. Now that our local Assembly is finally about to return, we’ve written to all 108 MLAs asking them to deliver for the environment straight away by freeing up funding which should already be available. ”

The new Quarry Products Association website can be visited at www.qpani.org

ENDS

For further information contact Barry Turley of ASITIS Consulting on 02890 438677 or 07734 256318

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Quarrying is a major industry in Northern Ireland

• There are around 160 quarries and sand pits in NI

• The construction industry, which contributes around 10% cent of the Province’s gross domestic product, is completely reliant on quarrying.

• Annual demand for aggregates in Northern Ireland is approximately 24 million tonnes and the jobs that quarrying supports are often in rural areas where other employment opportunities can be scarce.

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