PM vows Brexit is not going to be bad for nature
BREXIT will not lead to a lowering of environmental standards in the UK, Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged.
The vow came as Mrs May unveiled the Government’s longterm plan for the environment, which sets out plans to “make ours the first generation to leave the natural environment in a better state than we found it”.
Mrs May staked her party’s claim for the green mantle, rejecting as a “false choice” the suggestion that Britain must chose between economic growth or environmental protection.
She promised to put the natural world “centre stage” in her Government’s agenda and declared: “Conservatism and conservation are natural allies.”
The plan comes as part of a concerted drive by Conservatives to demonstrate their concern for green issues.
Their stance on issues such as fox-hunting and the ivory trade was blamed for losing the votes of young people inspired with a renewed interest in the natural world by programmes like Sir David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II.
The environment includes plans to:
Eliminate avoidable waste within 25 years;
Consider taxes and charges on single-use items such as takeaway containers;
Direct aid spending towards helping developing nations reduce plastic use;
Support the transition to almost all cars and vans producing zero carbon emissions by 2050;
Set up a world-leading independent statutory body to hold the UK Government to account on the environment after Britain leaves the European Union. scheme plastic
However, the plan has come under fire for not going far enough.
Cardiff North Labour MP Anna McMorrin – who as a Welsh Government special adviser helped introduce the 2011 ban on free single-use carrier bags – criticised the lack of “clear targets”.
She said: “It lacks substance. It’s very weak with no laws proposed in it.
“We’re looking at such ridiculously long-term proposals on this that I think it’s just a sham, really, and I think it’s nothing more than Theresa May’s attempt to rebrand her failing Government.
“And from a Welsh perspective, they are only now just catching up with the Welsh Government on the plastic bag levy. We did that in 2011...
“There are a lot of good words there but little substance.”
Opponents of Brexit have feared that EU environmental regulations could be scaled back after withdrawal, as ministers seek to drive up business competitiveness and build trade links with parts of the world with lower standards.
But speaking at a nature reserve in south-west London, Mrs May insisted: “Brexit will not mean a lowering of environmental standards. We will set out our plans for a new, world-leading independent statutory body to hold government to account and give the environment a voice. And our work will be underpinned by a strong set of environmental principles.”
Jessica McQuade of WWF Cymru would like to see the Welsh Government blaze a trail by banning singleuse plastic by 2025.
She said: “While most areas covered by the UK Government’s plan are devolved to Wales, the Prime Minister’s speech is welcome, as it brings into focus the many environmental problems we are facing – from plastic pollution in our seas to climate change. On some areas of the plan, Wales is already taking action or is even ahead of England, for example on the carrier bag charge.
“But with strong sustainability and environmental laws already in place, the Welsh Government could be doing much more on this agenda. Why not really show leadership in the field and commit to a ban on single-use plastic by 2025 in Wales?
“Proper delivery of the Well-being of Future Generations Act should mean that Wales forges ahead and shows the rest of UK what is possible to protect our planet for our children and grandchildren.”
Mrs May said Conservative-led gov-