Environment Bill

The environment is the bedrock of our economy, security and wellbeing. Healthy soils, oceans and woodland are vital for our food security, for mitigating and preventing flooding, supporting pollinators and biodiversity, and storing carbon.

As you are aware, the Government published its draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill in December 2018. The draft Bill proposes creating a new environmental watchdog – the Office for Environmental Protection. The Government says a broader Environment Bill published later this year will focus on air quality, the restoration of nature, waste management and resource efficiency, and water management.

The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee scrutinised the draft Bill and published a report on 25 April. The Committee identified serious concerns with the current proposals. It said that the environmental principles which guide European Union legislation and policy have been severely downgraded by the proposals in the Bill. It called the draft Bill a “missed opportunity for taking a holistic approach” to the environment and climate change.

Addressing the environmental challenges that we face requires a transformational effort from Government and urgent interventions now. It is therefore vital that we protect all EU environmental rights, standards and protections as a baseline, while introducing more ambitious domestic environmental policy than that guaranteed at the European level.

This must include an Agriculture Bill which enhances the responsibility for farmers to conserve, enhance and create safe habitats for birds, insects and other wild animals and a Fisheries Bill which contains a clear, stated approach towards greater sustainability.

I am concerned that the Bill’s proposals will require a clear commitment to a level of funding which the Government has previously refused to provide for our public services.

I can assure you that further proposals within the Environment Bill will be carefully scrutinised when it is introduced to Parliament.