Minister orders expedite the publication of Environmental Assessment reports for land released for dairy farming

Mar 16, Colombo – Mahinda Amaraweera (Minister of Environment) has instructed the Central Environmental Authority, CEA, to immediately stop the delay in issuing the environmental assessment reports necessary for the use land for maize cultivation or dairy farming in the nation.

Yesterday (15th) afternoon, the Minister of Environment Mahinda Amarawaera and the Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage held a discussion at the Ministry of Environment. This was in response to a Cabinet of Ministers decision to provide land for dairy farming.

The Minister for Agriculture noted that foreign investors are leaving certain projects due to delays in the submission of environmental assessments for dairy farming and maize cultivating.

There are 63 institutions that have been registered with the Central Environmental Authority to prepare environmental assessment reports.

One institution demanded a ridiculous amount of Rs. 300 million to prepare an environment assessment report for the allocation of land in Nawalapitiya for dairy farming. The process is being slowed down due to a conflict between two institutions that was involved in the allocation of lands for dairy farming within the North Western Province.

The Minister of Agriculture stated therefore that these issues must be resolved and that the submission of environmental reports should speed up.

Minister of Environment stated that there is no need to prepare environmental reports to allocate land for dairy farming since most of the land has been used for grass cultivation.

The Minister of Environment directed Central Environmental Authority (CEA), to expedite the submissions of environmental assessment reports on land used for maize cultivation or dairy farming.

Minister Amaraweera pointed out that the country’s annual maize demand is about 450,000 tonnes. However, the harvest is 280,000 to 300,000. Annually, around 100,000 metric tons are imported. Minister Amaraweera said that projects to increase maize production should be prioritized.

Anil Jasinghe Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, and a group of officers were present at this event.