Ministers are being accused of championing an Environment Bill that does not deliver plans for real and long lasting action.
Our Green Peer Natalie Bennett vowed to attempt further amendments to strengthen the bill when it reaches the House of Lords, “particularly in light of the strong negative reaction to government plans for a free trade deal with Australia that undercuts our environmental and animal welfare standards”.
The Guardian writes:
‘The government voted down amendments to its flagship environment bill on Wednesday that would have strengthened the powers of a watchdog, given local communities more say over planning and development, and expanded protections for habitats.
The environment bill covers a wide range of issues and protections that were previously subject to EU regulations, such as air and water pollution, and wildlife habitats, as well as new provisions that would restrict the export of plastic waste, require companies to halt illegal deforestation overseas, and set out new biodiversity targets for protecting native species.’
