Proposed Chicken Waste Plant at Glenavy

Speech by David Ford MLA delivered to Assembly on Tue 3rd Jun 2008

I thank Paul Butler for securing time for this matter, which is of significant interest to many people, not only those who live in, and around, Glenavy, but further afield. As Thomas Burns said, the area extends into three constituencies.

First, we should sympathise with the farmers who are caught up in the problems caused by the nitrates directive. The major issue is that farmers must have some sort of plan in place by the end of this year, and many are still trying to deal with it at this late stage. It is clear that farmers in Northern Ireland have severe problems, as nitrates and phosphates can no longer be spread on the land. That will create difficulties, no matter what we say in the Chamber this evening.

We should have sympathy for those who are caught in that predicament and for those who work in poultry plants and other poultry businesses, which contribute hugely to our economy. Several thousand jobs depend on the poultry sector, so we should not take it lightly.

Having said that, we must examine the best option. Part of the problem with the application from Rose Energy is that two of its three partners are respected for their role in the Northern Ireland economy. O'Kane Poultry and Moy Park make significant contributions, provide significant employment and contribute to Northern Ireland plc.

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However, the third partner has a jaded reputation among local people. Having had the misfortune of cycling past its plant a couple of summers ago, I sympathise with the people who live closer to it than I do.

Is incineration the most suitable process? I recently had a visit from someone who is assessing the viability of anaerobic digestion wastes from farms and similar businesses. One of the key advantages of anaerobic digestion is that it works on a much smaller and dispersed scale than incineration. That would create an opportunity to develop several smaller plants; it would also benefit from transport savings.

Chicken litter is drier than other wastes. However, a co-operative process that dealt with more than merely chicken litter could mix in other agricultural wastes, such as those from creameries and other food producers. That possibility should be explored.

However, the final decision on the matter may be confirmed before the full facts about energy from waste have been uncovered. "Energy from waste" is a polite term for incineration - it may not be the best practical or environmental option.

If incineration is deemed to be the best option, what is the best location, or locations, for such a plant? Lough Neagh is not just protected at a domestic or UK level; it is a Ramsar site and should enjoy the highest level of environmental protection. Therefore, the shores of Lough Neagh are not the most suitable location for a chicken waste plant. Furthermore, the surrounding roads would not cope well with a large number of lorries coming into the area every day and week.

Paul Butler asked whether water from the lough will be used in the cooling process; that question has not been answered. It has been claimed that one of the advantages of the Glenavy site is that it is remote from poultry farms. Unfortunately, it is also remote from the industry and housing concentration that would make real use of the waste heap that will be produced. Under the current proposals, material of calorific value will be carted long distances to a plant that will yield approximately only 25% energy efficiency.