Author: Kate Livingston

Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has encouraged the public to sign a petition opposing a badger cull proposed by an Executive Department.

The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) recently announced the plan as part of its bovine TB eradication strategy. It would see the introduction of an indiscriminate badger cull, using the controlled shooting of free-roaming badgers, despite similar approaches in England and the south in recent years having only a minimal impact on bovine TB levels in cattle.

South Antrim MLA Mr Blair, Chair of the Assembly’s All-Party Group on Animal Welfare, has now joined with the USPCA, Ulster Wildlife and the Northern Ireland Badger Group to launch the petition, to call for alternative approaches.

“Whilst I am supportive of many of the measures proposed by DAERA to combat the disease, I strongly oppose intensive badger culling It would lead to the destruction of protected wildlife on an unprecedented scale, and I expected more engagement between the Department and the wildlife sector in this regard,” he said.

“There is little to no evidence to suggest an indiscriminate cull of badgers in Northern Ireland would be an effective approach to controlling the spread of the disease. I am also disappointed more ethical alternatives to controlling bovine TB, in both the badger and cattle populations here, such as cattle vaccination and a test–vaccinate–remove strategy have not been proposed.

“I urge the public to add their voice to this campaign to stop the badger cull by signing the petition.”

South Antrim schools are to be prioritised for further tranches of the part-time 20 mph speed limits at schools.

Schools including Straid Primary School, Doagh Primary School and Carnmoney Primary School will be assessed and prioritised for inclusion in the 2021/22 programme of the scheme. The nature and extent of which is being finalised within the budget available to the Department for Infrastructure.

South Antrim MLA, John Blair made the call for the local schools to be included in future roll outs of the scheme.

“I am delighted that the Department will be prioritising South Antrim schools in future tranches of the scheme.”

He added: “Introducing 20 mph speed limits outside schools increases driver awareness and achieve reductions in vehicle speeds outside and near these schools ensuring that parents, children and staff will be safer as they go to and from the schools on a daily basis.”

Alliance representatives John Blair MLA and Councillor Patrick Brown have called for long-term plans to protect and enhance Northern Ireland’s treasured landscapes following a visit to the Mourne Mountains.

Speaking after they attended a meeting in Silent Valley with the Mourne Heritage Trust, Mr Blair and Councillor Brown said they would continue to work both at a central government level and a local level to restore and enhance the resilience of the sites with natural and environmental significance.

South Antrim MLA Mr Blair, Environment spokesperson for Alliance, said: “The recent devastating fires at the Mournes caused shockwaves across the community due to the significant biodiversity loss and the destruction of this scenic area.

“However, it is important we don’t lose sight of the fact many fires across Northern Ireland cause damage on an annual basis. The overall picture is extremely concerning – there here have been several wildfire incidents over the recent exceptionally dry weather, which have destroyed valuable natural habitats.

“We continue to face an ecological crisis and our natural environment is under significant threat. A sustainable approach to landscape management has never been more crucial.”
Councillor Brown, the party’s South Down representative, added his concerns Northern Ireland does not have a landscape strategy, as is the case in other jurisdictions.

“There is a direct relationship between the quality of Northern Ireland’s landscapes and the condition of the local economy. A long-term strategy for landscape management must be a top priority, not just for economic development and growth, but also for environmental value, and this must be recognised by all parts and levels of government, whether or not they have an environmental remit.

“I, along with Alliance colleagues, will continue to press for such plans and the associated governance structures for long-term landscape management.”

The findings of a Police Ombudsman report into the murder of a Catholic teenager by the UDA is further evidence why the UK Government’s amnesty proposals are a bad idea, Alliance MLA John Blair has said.

The Ombudsman found ‘significant failures’ in the police investigation into the killing of Damien Walsh in 1993, who died after being shot at the Diary Farm complex close to Twinbrook. Marie Anderson said while there was no evidence the RUC had prior knowledge of the attack or could have stopped it, the subsequent investigation showed ‘collusive police behaviours’ due to the suspension of a police surveillance operation against the UDA’s C Company, as well as other failures.

“My thoughts and sympathies are with the loved ones of Damien Walsh, who will have no doubt been re-traumatised by having their original doubts about the investigation confirmed by these findings,” said Mr Blair, a member of the Policing Board.

“Alliance is fully supportive of our police service and know the majority of officers acted with honour but nobody can be above the law. We must hold people to account for their actions and uphold the rule of law. During the time the UDA gang were not being watched, it also committed another murder, leaving another family in grief. Questions clearly need asked.

“This is further proof of just how bad an idea the UK Government’s proposals to essentially draw a line under the Troubles and move on are. Victims and survivors, and their families, deserve the option of justice but in addition, they deserve the truth about what happened to their loved ones. If these proposals came to pass, Damien Walsh’s family, as well as many others, would have that option taken off the table.”

Alliance Party MLA John Blair has marked the ninth annual Farm Safety Week with a stark reminder to remain vigilant to the dangers of working on farms.

Mr Blair said:: “I would encourage all those working in the agriculture sector to engage in this iniative and for all farmers to stop and think about how they work on their farm to form a deeper awareness of the everyday risks of farming.”

The Alliance agriculture spokesperson added: “I was shocked and saddened to learn through tabled questions there have been of 35 fatalities on farms in Northern Ireland since January 2015.

“We must stop taking chances, stop the old habits and end bad practice. It is important all farming organisations encourage farmers to change their behaviours in relation to farm safety to prevent injuries and save lives. Relevant statutory agencies must also do what they can on awareness raising and prevention.”