UUP Councillor, Kyle Savage, has urged the Agriculture Minister to seek common ground between the Private Members` Bill on Climate Change in Stormont and his own Bill. An Ulster Unionist Party amended motion calling for cross-party work on climate change legislation was passed by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council on Monday night.

Cllr Kyle Savage said:

“I am pleased that Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council backed my amendment at council on Monday night calling for action to address concerns about the impact of climate change alongside providing support for the Agri-food industry.

“The Executive showed last week that they can deliver meaningful progress when all parties work together. That`s why we are asking the Agriculture Minister to urgently engage with the co-sponsors of the Private Members’ Bill on Climate Change in Stormont to find common ground with his own Bill which was given the green light at the Executive last week.

“The beef, sheep and dairy sectors are too important to Northern Ireland`s Agri-food sector to be used as a political football. There is common ground to be found and I believe that with the right attitude and approach, we can make better legislation that protects our agri-food industry and addresses the very real concerns about climate change.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Ulster Unionist Party amended motion on Climate Change;

‘That this Council notes the concerns of the community right across Northern Ireland and beyond about the impact of Climate Change; notes that a Private Members’ Climate Change Bill was brought the Assembly in March 2021; and further notes that the Agriculture Minister`s Bill has been discussed at the NI Executive and has received approval to move to its next stage.

‘Given the importance of the beef, sheep and dairy sectors to our Agri-food sector, this Council requests that a letter be sent to the Agriculture Minister asking him to urgently engage with the sponsor and co-sponsors of the Private Members’ Climate Change Bill to seek common ground to deliver appropriate climate change reduction targets alongside support for the agri-food sector.’