RENEWABLE ENERGY IS WORTH PURSUING SAYS AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

There are excellent prospects for Northern Ireland to make use of renewable energies, the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee has heard.

The Committee took final oral evidence for their inquiry into Renewable Energy and Alternative Land Uses during their visit to the Agri-Food and Bio Sciences Institute’s (AFBI) facility in Hillsborough.

After listening to the evidence, Chairperson of the Committee, Dr William McCrea MP MLA said, “The Committee hopes that, as a result of this Inquiry, the Committee’s recommendations will be heeded by the Department.

“The Committee has found this visit to the AFBI’s renewable facility extremely profitable as it shows us the possibilities that we in Northern Ireland have in the area of renewable energies and alternative land uses.”

During their visit, the Committee also looked at the facilities devoted to researching beef production, with Dr McCrea noting the poor resources that the Institute had to work with.

“The Committee is concerned with the poor facilities that AFBI must work with when undertaking research into the red meat sector. We believe that the Department needs to look at this if it is serious about reviving this important sector of production.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Membership of the Agriculture & Rural Development Committee is as follows:

Chairperson: Dr. William McCrea

Deputy Chairperson: Mr. Tom Elliott

Committee Members: Mr. P.J. Bradley, Mr. Allan Bresland, Mr. Thomas Burns, Mr. Trevor Clarke, Mr. Willie Clarke, Mr. William Irwin, Mr. Pat Doherty, Mr. Francie Molloy, Mr. George Savage

Media enquiries to:
Stephanie Mallon,
Information Office, Parliament Buildings, Belfast. BT4 3XX
Tel. 028 9052 1953
Mobile: 07825 146794
Email: stephanie.mallon@niassembly.gov.uk
Website: archive.niassembly.gov.uk