Assemblyman calls for Health Living Strategy

Mr Swann said he was concerned there appeared to be an emphasis on getting children to eat a healthier diet, but there needed to be a greater focus on the many adults who were also worried about food and drink contents.

“We need the Stormont Executive to examine exactly what is being sprayed on crops. We specially need to ensure that the Agriculture Department encourages the spraying of new forms of weed and pest controls which are organically safe,” he said.

“In the past, the Health Department under UUP Minister Michael McGimpsey can certainly be commended on their very pro-active campaigns warning of the various forms of cancer and the importance of early detection.

“However, in campaigning against the prevention of diseases, I also call for an equally strong focus on adopting a healthy living campaign. The public has the right to know about potentially harmful substances within food and drink products.

“It’s all very well the various health bodies encouraging constituents to have a good programme of exercise, but they also need to clearly emphasise a balanced diet of food and drink products which is free of treatment by many modern pesticides.”

Mr Swann added: “I also call on the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to grant aid those farmers in North Antrim who are engaged in the development of the production of organic foods.”