Environment Bill a ‘missed opportunity’ for Wales
A head of a final vote on the Welsh Government’s Environment (Wales) Bill in the National Assembly for Wales today, Welsh Conservatives have outlined how the legislation marks a missed opportunity for Wales.
Whilst the Group will vote in favour of the Bill at stage 4 proceedings, the Welsh Government has refused to embrace a number of key environmental policy commitments which could have strengthened the legislation to better plan and manage Wales’ natural resources.
Speaking ahead of the vote, Shadow Environment Minister Janet Haworth AM said:
“Welsh Conservatives will be voting in favour of this Environment Bill – but we do regard this entire legislative process as a missed opportunity; which could have delivered so much more for the people of Wales.
“Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party has missed an ideal opportunity to increase Natural Resources Wales' independence from Government, to embrace the United Nations' definitions of biodiversity and ecosystems and have failed to offer Dwr Cymru necessary recognition as a statutory consultee in planning matters.”
