Environment Bill returns to Parliament
CLA welcomes the return of the Environment Bill ahead of it becoming law in Autumn
The long-awaited Environment Bill is back in Parliament today (May 26) for Report Stage and Third Reading in the House of Commons.
Through this piece of legislation, the government aims to clean up the country’s air, restore natural habitats and increase biodiversity as well as reducing waste, make better use of resources, and improve management of water resources in a changing climate.
The Bill will also seek to crack down on water companies that discharge sewage into rivers and will include a legally-binding species target for 2030, aiming to halt the decline of nature and to protect British animals, such as red squirrels and hedgehogs.
It’s a welcome relief to see the much-delayed Environment Bill return to Parliament – and now the hard work really starts if government is serious about it becoming law this year
CLA President Mark Bridgeman said:
“It’s a welcome relief to see the much-delayed Environment Bill return to Parliament – and now the hard work really starts if government is serious about it becoming law this year.
"While there are some areas of concern, such as water abstraction and the exclusion of heritage, we support the Bill’s robust framework for environmental governance with long-terms plans and targets. But, for these ambitious targets to be met, the Bill must work hand-in-hand with the Agriculture Act and land management schemes to ensure the environment is well preserved for future generations.”
The legislation builds on government’s action to protect the environment as set out in the 25-Year Environment Plan.