Motion: Demand for a truly Independent Environmental Protection Agency

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council acknowledges a worrying general decline in biodiversity, deterioration in water and air quality, the global climate crisis and the unfulfilled commitment to an Independent Environmental Protection Agency as outlined in the New Decade New Approach Agreement. These crises have not been helped by the current Environment Agency who are 'failing' in their duties as a result of, amongst other things, their non-independent status.

Mindful of the particular environmental challenges that FODC has on the horizon, not least the twin threats of fracking and toxic mining, this motion requests that this Council supports the recognised need for a truly independent environmental governance regime as a matter of urgency.

Furthermore, we will write to all other District, Borough and City Councils here calling on them to debate the same, and to make representations to the appropriate Executive bodies to develop this demand without further delay.