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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Research site may become cemetery | Research site may become cemetery |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Belfast's search for a new cemetery has taken a new twist after the Department of Agriculture moved to sell off a 100 acre research station at Crossnacreevy. | Belfast's search for a new cemetery has taken a new twist after the Department of Agriculture moved to sell off a 100 acre research station at Crossnacreevy. |
| The deal will see the site pass to the Department of Finance, freeing up £90m to help a slurry tank building programme on more than 3,000 farms. | The deal will see the site pass to the Department of Finance, freeing up £90m to help a slurry tank building programme on more than 3,000 farms. |
| The site is used for variety trials for cereals and grass. | The site is used for variety trials for cereals and grass. |
| However, its proximity to Roselawn cemetery has prompted speculation it may become the city's new cemetery. | However, its proximity to Roselawn cemetery has prompted speculation it may become the city's new cemetery. |
| Michelle Gildernew, the minister for agriculture and rural development, said the move would benefit Northern Ireland's agricultural industry. | Michelle Gildernew, the minister for agriculture and rural development, said the move would benefit Northern Ireland's agricultural industry. |
| "This is great news for the local farming industry as the implementation of the nitrates directive has been the single biggest issue currently threatening the industry," she said. | "This is great news for the local farming industry as the implementation of the nitrates directive has been the single biggest issue currently threatening the industry," she said. |
| However, MEP Jim Allister said the decision was short-sighted and accused the department of "selling off the family silver". | |
| "This announcement by DARD to sell off assets to fund its own incompetence smacks of short-termism, and does not take into account the consequences this decision will bring," the MEP said. | "This announcement by DARD to sell off assets to fund its own incompetence smacks of short-termism, and does not take into account the consequences this decision will bring," the MEP said. |
| "Indeed, it would appear this decision has been taken without adequate consultation, and in disregard of the signal such a closure sends out to the agricultural industry." | "Indeed, it would appear this decision has been taken without adequate consultation, and in disregard of the signal such a closure sends out to the agricultural industry." |