The EPA has today published a list of the 9 worst offenders in pollution control at EPA licenced facilities.

This list again shows that Irish food processing companies continue to be the lead category of EPA licence breaches.

Following the trend of recent years the majority, five of the 9, are food processers, two of which are dairy groups Glanbia and LacPatrick, the others being Rosdarra Meats, Western Brand Group chicken processors and Arrow Group pig meat processes.

The first three are members of the Bord Bia "Origin Green" sustainability food product and labeling system.

Ian Lumley, An Taisce’s Advocacy Officer stated "This puts into question the credibility of the sustainability labeling of Irish Food processors by Bord Bia. Appearance on an EPA worst offenders list should be incompatible with retaining a green label branding"

He continued

“This issue comes on top of the increasing climate impact caused by Irish agricultural emissions, which combined with declining biodiversity and lessening of high status waters is placing Irish agriculture and food processing in irreconcilable environmental conflict.”

ENDS

For further information, contact:
Ian Lumley, An Taisce Advocacy Officer: +353 1 454 1786
Charles Stanley-Smith, Communications, An Taisce. Tel: +353 87 241 1995
email: [email protected]
An Taisce The National Trust for Ireland
www.antaisce.org

About An Taisce

An Taisce is a charity that works to preserve and protect Ireland's natural and built heritage. We are an independent charitable voice for the environment and for heritage issues. We are not a government body, semi-state or agency. Founded in 1948, we are one of Ireland’s oldest and largest environmental organisations.