Lo hopes new European funding will improve environmental protection

Alliance Environment spokesperson, Anna Lo MLA, has welcomed the announcement on new European funding worth €84.7million for cross border collaborative environmental projects. The European Commission has formally adopted a new INTERREG cross-border co-operative programme for Northern Ireland, the border region of Ireland and Western Scotland for 2014-2020. €72million will be provided from the Europe with €12.7million provided by national contributions.

Anna Lo MLA said: “Northern Ireland has been under threat of breaching EU Directives on the protection of Birds and Habitats and having poor fresh water quality. The INTERREG cross-border programme will provide opportunities to enhance wildlife, fresh water quality and marine life across the island.

“Given the severe reduction in Environment budget, this will help to ensure environmental initiatives are more adequately funded.

“I would also urge the environmental organisations to engage both at an individual and collective basis with the Special European Programmes Body when it calls for applications under the environmental themes to maximise the efficient and effective drawdown of this important source of financial support.”

ENDS

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