21/08/2014
Minister Signs 'Tape-Cutting' Green Deal
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has signed a new deal with Dungannon-based agri-food companies Linden Foods Ltd and Linergy Ltd that will seek to cut red tape in return for a reduction in carbon emissions.
The 'Prosperity Agreement' will see the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) work to reduce red tape for the two firms. In return, they will be obliged to invest heavily in the environment.
In signing the deal, both companies have undertaken to:
• reduce carbon emissions by 25%
• reduce energy and water use and reduce waste
• work to influence the supply chain to improve both on farm sustainability and finished product logistics
• create a local stakeholder forum where key issues can be discussed in a constructive manner.
The Environment Minister, speaking at Linden Food Headquarters in Dungannon said:"I believe the biggest impact will come from the main users of our natural resources, the business community. We need to help businesses to identify opportunities for growth that reduces reliance on finite resources, reuse and reduce waste and to rethink products.
"I told my Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to regulate firmly but also to be more supportive of progressive businesses which have a good compliance record. This first Prosperity Agreement is a great example, helping these progressive and compliant companies in our critical agri-food sector to reduce environmental impact in ways that boost their competitiveness in their markets.
"Under this agreement, NIEA will redirect resources from bureaucratic processes that create no value to actions that support Linden Foods and Linergy improve their environmental performance in their own operations and throughout their supply-chain. I applaud both Linden and Linergy for their vision and real desire to be at the forefront of progressive sustainable business here."
(IT/CD)
The 'Prosperity Agreement' will see the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) work to reduce red tape for the two firms. In return, they will be obliged to invest heavily in the environment.
In signing the deal, both companies have undertaken to:
• reduce carbon emissions by 25%
• reduce energy and water use and reduce waste
• work to influence the supply chain to improve both on farm sustainability and finished product logistics
• create a local stakeholder forum where key issues can be discussed in a constructive manner.
The Environment Minister, speaking at Linden Food Headquarters in Dungannon said:"I believe the biggest impact will come from the main users of our natural resources, the business community. We need to help businesses to identify opportunities for growth that reduces reliance on finite resources, reuse and reduce waste and to rethink products.
"I told my Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to regulate firmly but also to be more supportive of progressive businesses which have a good compliance record. This first Prosperity Agreement is a great example, helping these progressive and compliant companies in our critical agri-food sector to reduce environmental impact in ways that boost their competitiveness in their markets.
"Under this agreement, NIEA will redirect resources from bureaucratic processes that create no value to actions that support Linden Foods and Linergy improve their environmental performance in their own operations and throughout their supply-chain. I applaud both Linden and Linergy for their vision and real desire to be at the forefront of progressive sustainable business here."
(IT/CD)
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