THE DUP has been accused of urging the authorities to effectively "turn a blind eye" to environmental crime.
In a policy paper highlighting the DUP's support for the north's agri-food sector, the party - whose minister blocked the establishment of an independent environmental watchdog - has called for a "pragmatic approach" when farmers breach regulations that are designed to protect the countryside.
The DUP document comes as figures from the Department of Environment show farming is responsible for the highest proportion of water pollution incidents.
In 2012 almost a third of all pollution incidents impacting on water quality were attributed to agriculture.
The DUP's policy paper, launched at the Balmoral Show last week, urges the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to adopt a "pragmatic approach" to farm inspections and the enforcement of environmental regulations.
But according to Friends of the Earth, the party is effectively telling NIEA staff to "turn a blind eye" to environmental crime.
Friends of the Earth director James Orr said the DUP would not be urging similar discretion on issues such as taxi licensing and MOTs.
"Why is it that when it comes to protecting the environment that we always need to be more pragmatic?" he said.
"It is strange how this appears in a section on 'supporting the environment' when it really means 'not supporting the environment'."
Mr Orr described the enforcement of water pollution as "woeful" and pointed to the fact that only one-fifth of the north's rivers have water quality that is deemed 'good' or better.
"The NIEA need to get serious and do what they are supposed to and not come under pressure to do even less," he said.
"Visit most European countries and you will see prosperous farming and a healthy environment going together, yet here in Northern Ireland politicians from all sides seem to think the environment is the enemy of farming."
A DUP spokesman denied the party was calling for a blind eye to be turned and said NIEA had its full support for enforcing the law.
"If someone is in breach of any regulation then they should be held accountable," he said.
But the spokesman said government should always work to help businesses rather than hinder them.
"It is important there is joined-up thinking within and between government agencies involved in regulating our agrifood industry," he said.
"Red-tape and bureaucracy is always something the DUP will seek to reduce."
A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said NIEA must adhere to European Commission regulations concerning inspections and have "little scope for interpretation and flexibility".
"That said, DOE take a pragmatic approach to helping farmers meet statutory regulations," the spokesman said.
"NIEA also invest considerable time in engaging with the farming sector to ensure that farmers are aware of these responsibilities, either in speaking to them on-farm or through representative groups."
In 2008 the then DUP environment minister Arlene Foster refused to establish an independent 'green' watchdog that would have brought environmental enforcement in Northern Ireland into line with the Britain and the Republic.
* 'SEEKING TO REDUCE RED TAPE AND BUREAUCRACY': Princess Anne meets DUP leader Peter Robinson and party colleague Jeffrey Donaldson at the opening day of the Balmoral Show last week. Right, the DUP policy paper on the agri-food sector