SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said that greater penalties should be handed out to those responsible for polluting local rivers and bodies of water.
He was speaking after visiting Muff River near Eglinton on Friday.
Thousands of fish were recently killed in the river, with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) confirming the fish kill was a direct result of pollution.
Said the Foyle MP: “We cannot continue to allow people responsible for large scale pollution to get away with a slap on the wrist.
“The recent fish kill near Eglinton had devastating consequences for the local environment, leading to the deaths of thousands of fish, pollution to the river itself and long-term consequences for biodiversity in this area.
“The crisis at Lough Neagh has shown us what can happen if we allow these issues to go unchecked and it’s long past time we got serious about protecting our waterways and rivers.
“This is not the first incident of its kind in this area and we have also seen multiple similar incidents across the North in the past few years.
“I welcome the NIEA and Loughs Agency investigation into this and it’s time to get serious about protecting our environment and tough on those found responsible for polluting it.
“The impact of this fish kill is going to be felt at this river and the surrounding area for some time and we cannot simply allow it to pass by without notice.
“We need to send a clear message that anyone found polluting will be held responsible and will face serious consequences for their actions. We cannot allow the destruction of our local environment to continue with impunity.”
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