The Green Party has today called for river bailiffs across Northern Ireland to be allowed to take samples from rivers during suspected pollution incidents, as resources appear to be preventing the Environmental & Heritage Service from being able to investigate all incidents. The Green Party met with representatives from Anglers Groups at Stormont this morning, who are concerned about pollution levels in local rivers and the lack of severe penalties for those found responsible for pollution.

Green Party MLA Brian Wilson said: “The judiciary must ensure that the polluter pays. The courts must make sure that those who pollute a river and in particular, persistent polluters must be named and shamed and fined heavily for poisoning our water ways. Our rivers form part of our drinking water system, so it is in everyone’s interest that our rivers are clean.”

Green Party South Antrim spokesperson Pete Whitcroft said: “If the word of bailiffs is good enough to be used to bring a prosecution then they should be trusted to take samples from rivers too. These people are on the rivers all the time, they are reporting suspected pollution incidents all the time.”

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