DUP MEP Diane Dodds has met with European Commissioner for Competition, Joaquín Almunia, to brief him on the devastating impact on the Northern Ireland quarry industry as a result of the suspension of the aggregates credit levy scheme.

Mrs. Dodds urged the Commission to bring a new scheme into operation as soon as possible before local quarries are forced out of business.

Mrs. Dodds was accompanied to the meeting by industry representative Gordon Best and Conservative and Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson.

Speaking from Strasbourg, Diane Dodds said: "Over the past eight years Northern Ireland has enjoyed an EU Commission approved 80% derogation on the UK aggregates levy, allowing prices for stone and concrete to remain competitive with the neighbouring industry in the Irish Republic.

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"The Commission however withdrew the Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme as of 1st December 2010. The decision by the European Commission to undertake a review of the scheme, and the failure to bring a new scheme into place, is having a devastating impact on our local quarry industry.

"Many companies, particularly in border areas, are simply being priced out of the marketplace and are struggling to survive.

"The potential for major job losses is very real and I made the point to the Commissioner that it is imperative that the Commission undertake their review and have a new scheme in place as a matter of urgency.

"Every day that goes by is a day that our quarry industry suffers further and becomes closer to shut down. The current stalemate is unacceptable and progress must be made soon. Competitiveness and fairness must be restored to the marketplace," she said.

(GK)