Ulster Unionist Environment spokesperson Tom Elliott has welcomed an indication that the Environment Minister Alex Attwood is preparing to drop the introduction of National Parks in Northern Ireland.

The Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA said: "Recent correspondence from Minister Attwood's office giving an update on the progress of enabling legislation for National Parks suggests that the Minister has shifted his position on the issue and is preparing to drop the introduction of National Parks, especially in the Mournes.

"In a letter to the Environment committee, the Department stated that 'He (the Minister) recognises the many voices of support, the need to have the right development strategies in place and the contribution to date and in the future of local interests, including crucially the farming communities. He has said that given that Parks cannot be imposed, the opposition is greater than the support in the Mournes'.

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"If this is an indication that the Environment Minister has both listened to and taken account of local public opinion then I welcome it.

"As we have stated before, the Ulster Unionist Party is not convinced by moves by the Department of Environment to introduce National Parks in Northern Ireland believing them to be ill-thought-out with potentially huge unintended consequences.

"We strongly support measures which would grow the potential of Northern Ireland’s unique landscapes but believe the introduction of National Parks would bring such significant restrictions that any opportunities to grow our tourism potential would all be in vain."

(CD)