Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today welcomed the frank and open exchange of views from South Down farmers affected by three Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) declared in the Mournes area.
The meeting, facilitated by Margaret Ritchie MP and Sean Rogers MLA, was the second occasion in which the Minister has personally engaged with people from the area affected by the three ASSI declared by his Department in March. His latest meeting, coming as it does shortly before his final decision, has provided him with a further opportunity to hear at first hand the concerns of local people from the area.
Speaking following the meeting, Minister Durkan said: “I have been keen to hear the views of all those affected by these ASSI declarations and welcome this further opportunity to meet with farmers from South Down to hear their concerns at first hand.
“Whilst the statutory consultation process provides an appropriate means for landowners and others affected by these declarations to comment, face to face meetings allow those affected to convey their thoughts and their strong passion and sense of attachment to the land they own, manage and call home. In addition this enables clarification of issues and alleviation of some concerns around the implications of the designations.
“I have listened intently to what they have had to say. I want to reassure them, and all interested parties, that I will give very careful consideration to their views and those of others together with all of the consultation responses and scientific evidence before reaching my conclusion on whether or not it is appropriate to confirm these three ASSI’s.”
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