Environment Bill returns to Parliament
Written by Defra Press Office
There has been coverage in the Telegraph, The Guardian, Edie and BBC Farming Today of the Environment Bill as it returns to Parliament today (26 May) for Report Stage and Third Reading in the House of Commons.
The Environment Bill will clean up the country’s air, restore natural habitats and increase biodiversity. The Government has proposed a number of amendments, which include a new legally binding target on species abundance for 2030 to boost biodiversity, protect peatlands and create new woodlands.
The Telegraph includes comments from Environment Minister Rebecca Pow as part of an interview highlighting the significant role farmers will play to meet the targets.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:
The Bill will refocus the Habitats Regulation to conserve and enhance biodiversity, with the Government set to publish a Green Paper on those reforms later this year. An amendment is also being brought forward to reduce harm from storm overflows to our rivers, waterways and coastlines.
Work on implementing Environment Bill measures has continued at pace. The Government has already begun developing legally binding environmental targets and launched consultations on the deposit return schemes for drinks containers, extended producer responsibility for packaging, and consistent recycling collections which will transform the way we deal with our rubbish.
Dame Glenys Stacey has been appointed as Chair of the new, independent Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) which is being created to hold the Government and public bodies to account for their environmental credentials.
A draft Principles Policy Statement has also been published by the Government which puts protecting the environment at the heart of future policy.
The legislation builds on the Government’s decisive action to protect the environment as set out in our 25 Year Environment Plan.
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