Mr Wilson (pictured) made the comments following his recent trips to Scotland, where he visited two National Parks – the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond – that have been operational since 2002.
"This was purely a fact finding mission," he added.
"However, I was very impressed with what I saw and heard. The visit gave me an opportunity to talk to representatives on the National Park Authorities and to meet people living and working on the ground. I particularly sought out the views of those farmers and farming groups that had been very opposed to the entire concept of a National Park."
The Minister went on to point out that, in the main, those he had spoken to are now recognising the benefits which National Park status can bring. He noted that farmers have been allowed to develop their businesses, using the National Park as almost a value added brand. Farmers' markets have become extremely popular in both the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond while consumer perception of the food produced in both regions has become extremely positive. Farmers are also making use of the support that is available to make the issue of public access to land more manageable.
"I do not intend introducing right to roam legislation in Northern Ireland," the Environment Minister stressed.
"But there are parts of the province where public access to privately owned land is an issue. Scottish National Park Authorities provide landowners with funding to build better paths, signs and gating systems on land to which the public have access. National Park status also brings with it certain insurance benefits in this regard."
He continued: "I am totally against the idea of a National Park being some sort of fossilised creation that can never be changed. It must be a living, breathing entity in which those who live there can work and develop their businesses in a realistic manner."
Sammy Wilson confirmed that National Park Authorities in Scotland had the right to scrutinise all planning applications submitted for development within their boundaries.
"We were told that 75% of the applications submitted had not been queried and with regard to those that had been questioned, design issues had been the main bone of contention, not siting. We were taken to two locations in the Cairngorms, one ear marked for the development of 1,500 houses and another for 300 new housing units."
The Minister concluded: "National Park Authorities in Scotland comprise directly elected members, local councillors, representatives of the various interest groups and independent ministerial appointments. I do not believe in over legislating and the light touch applied by the authorities in both the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond impressed me considerably. I have come back from Scotland with plenty of food for thought and my plan is to kick start a National Parks' consultation process here in Northern Ireland before the end of the year."