Following on from the public meeting at the Antrim Forum last week and having spoken to several representatives of the NI Environment Agency since, it is apparent there is very strong feeling within the organisation that prosecutions are not an essential strategy in the fight against polluters, the agency preferring to send warning letters instead.

I'm afraid that I would have to differ from this view in that the people of this province have been bombed, shot at and intimidated for years. Who honestly believes that a warning letter is going to scare anyone!

That the strategy is fundamentally flawed is apparent in the total lack of success in the fight against the polluters.

Everything is going to change in several years time with the introduction of the Water Framework Directive so why not change it now before any more damage is done. Give us an independent organisation where directors are not afraid to say what’s wrong and have the power to put it right.

If we don't have prosecution, we don't have a deterrent.

Michael Martin

Antrim and District Anglers