NI quarry industry cements commitment to nature
Northern Ireland’s aggregates and quarry products industry celebrated its commitment to the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity and geodiversity on 22 May with the launch of its strategy ‘Our Nature with Aggregates’ during a special event at Stormont on the International Day for Biodiversity.
The Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland (QPANI) has taken the lead by being the first industry sector in Northern Ireland to produce a strategy to champion biodiversity and geodiversity action. ‘Our Nature with Aggregates’ is a play on words, conveying how the aggregates industry contributes to people’s quality of life through the materials it produces, while recognizing that the extraction of aggregates needs to take place in an environmentally sustainable manner that maintains and enhances a wealth of habitats and species of national significance.
Speaking at the launch of the strategy, the Minister of the Environment, Arlene Forster, said: ‘Northern Ireland’s aggregates and quarry products industry is worth £730 million a year to the economy and directly employs over 5,000 people. I strongly welcome QPANI’s initiative and the industry’s commitment in formulating this strategy and am delighted to be working in partnership with them to ensure that the industry continues to operate sustainably.
‘This strategy and the resulting action plan will safeguard and enhance biodiversity conservation while showcasing Northern Ireland’s unique geological richness, which is known right around the world.’
Laverne Bell, biodiversity and geodiversity officer with QPANI, expressed delight at the way in which the quarrying industry has responded to her guidance. She said: ‘The attitude has been fantastic; QPANI members have already demonstrated their commitment to nature conservation though involvement in species action plans, land management, and by integrating biodiversity into their policies and environmental-management systems.’
‘Our Nature with Aggregates’ is a five-year strategy focusing on the themes of awareness, action, involvement and partnership, to conserve and enhance biodiversity and geodiversity. Northern Ireland’s quarrying industry will work with government, planners and nature conservation organizations to achieve shared goals for the benefit of wildlife and society alike.
The Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland (QPANI) has taken the lead by being the first industry sector in Northern Ireland to produce a strategy to champion biodiversity and geodiversity action. ‘Our Nature with Aggregates’ is a play on words, conveying how the aggregates industry contributes to people’s quality of life through the materials it produces, while recognizing that the extraction of aggregates needs to take place in an environmentally sustainable manner that maintains and enhances a wealth of habitats and species of national significance.
Speaking at the launch of the strategy, the Minister of the Environment, Arlene Forster, said: ‘Northern Ireland’s aggregates and quarry products industry is worth £730 million a year to the economy and directly employs over 5,000 people. I strongly welcome QPANI’s initiative and the industry’s commitment in formulating this strategy and am delighted to be working in partnership with them to ensure that the industry continues to operate sustainably.
‘This strategy and the resulting action plan will safeguard and enhance biodiversity conservation while showcasing Northern Ireland’s unique geological richness, which is known right around the world.’
Laverne Bell, biodiversity and geodiversity officer with QPANI, expressed delight at the way in which the quarrying industry has responded to her guidance. She said: ‘The attitude has been fantastic; QPANI members have already demonstrated their commitment to nature conservation though involvement in species action plans, land management, and by integrating biodiversity into their policies and environmental-management systems.’
‘Our Nature with Aggregates’ is a five-year strategy focusing on the themes of awareness, action, involvement and partnership, to conserve and enhance biodiversity and geodiversity. Northern Ireland’s quarrying industry will work with government, planners and nature conservation organizations to achieve shared goals for the benefit of wildlife and society alike.
