Duty to Defend the Environment

Congress notes that proposals to mine
gold in the Sperrin Mountains would cause massive environmental pollution to an area of outstanding natural beauty, and threaten the entire Foyle River system. Congress notes that, rather than create jobs, the proposed mining would damage existing and future sustainable jobs in agriculture, the food industry and tourism.

Congress believes trade unionists have a duty to defend the environment. We believe that the supposed trade-off between jobs and pollution is a dangerous illusion. Congress welcomes the campaigns of opposition from communities in the Sperrins, and pledges support to all genuine community-based campaigns which stand by trade union principles.