NI Conservatives’ environment spokesman, Brian McBride, has called upon chewing gum manufacturers to pay to clear up gum on Northern Ireland’s streets.
“Chewing gum on pavements in town centres across Northern Ireland leaves a disgusting mess, which councils are struggling to deal with and pay for”, Brian explained. “The Alliance Party wants an additional tax on chewing gum, which would involve complicated legislation, if it is possible at all.”
“NI Conservatives have a better solution. We’re calling on the Environment Minister, Mark H. Durkan, to take direct action and negotiate a major financial contribution from chewing gum manufacturers. This has been achieved already by the Republic of Ireland’s government so there is no reason why it can’t work in Northern Ireland.”
“Since 2006 the Republic has had an agreement between the Department of Environment and the chewing gum industry which involves a fully funded comprehensive action plan and intensive education and awareness campaigns, which are aimed at making consumers more responsible when they dispose of their gum. Let’s not reinvent the wheel. Let’s implement a similar plan and get gum off the streets.”
Notes for editors:
The DoEHLG annual report for 2006 listed the negotiated agreement with the chewing gum sector as one of the year’s main achievements.
This initial agreement was valued at €6million (£5.23 million) over three years (2007-2009) for an “education and awareness campaign” and was entirely industry funded.
The Gum Litter Taskforce was also established with the purpose of overseeing and driving forward the elements of the agreement
The current agreement (2011-2014) is valued at €9.6million (£8.4 million)