In the past couple of weeks, I have supported a number of pieces of legislation which aim to better protect our environment. As an MP representing our beautiful coastline, rural areas and coastal towns, I care about environmental protection - actually we should all care because a healthy, enhanced natural environment is not only about nature, it also benefits our health and well-being, our tourism and hospitality businesses, and our local economy.
I supported North Devon MP, Selaine Saxby’s 10 Minute Rule Bill to prohibit the use of disposable barbecues on open moorland, on beaches, in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and in certain other areas designated for environmental protection. We have some of the best beaches in the UK in beautiful Hastings and Rye, and at Camber Sands we have protected sand dunes. It is understandable that people would want to enjoy a barbecue by the sea, but with the hot, dry weather we experienced this year, we saw fires breaking out all over the country due to improperly discarded barbecues; gorse land fires at Baggy Point, Devon, peatland fires in the Peak District, and the destruction of farmland, livestock, and wildlife. We need to give local authorities the power to protect our countryside.
I also tabled an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill would allow local authorities to withdraw peat extraction licences without being required to pay compensation. There is a precedent for this in the Environment Act which enables the Environment Agency to revoke water abstraction licences to protect the environment. Peat extraction contributes to climate change and the Climate Change Committee has recommended it be stopped to achieve net zero. The government is ending the sale of horticultural peat for gardeners in 2024, but that will not stop extraction.
I am also pleased to support the Conservative Environment Network’s ‘Changing Course: a manifesto for our rivers, seas and waterways’. I know that local people want to see more action – and that many residents, farmers and community groups are keen to help. The manifesto has six ways the Government can accelerate its efforts to tackle pollution and empower communities with funding and tools to restore their waterways. One key ask is for the Government to ringfence fines from polluting water companies and invest them into environmental improvements and restoring our all too often sewage-filled rivers. I am delighted that Government has just adopted this headline policy!
We only have one Earth. We must all take responsibility in whatever we can to care for, manage and protect it.
https://www.cen.uk.com/changing-course-manifesto