The Conservative Environment Network Manifesto – 2019
‘THE DECLARATION AS MEMBERS OF THE CONSERVATIVE ENVIRONMENT NETWORK ( 41 named MPs ) PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS,
- We recognise the gravity of the global environmental crisis, and our duty to preserve and restore our planet for future generations.
- We agree that by working with nature, rather than against it, we can grow our economy faster a
- We believe that the best route to net zero emissions is through a prosperous market economy that innovates quickly.
- We know that transformational change starts with the responsibility of the individual.
- We believe that the UK has a duty to display global leadership on the environmental crisis.
‘Protection for our seas and oceans
European fisheries are a shadow of former plenty. 64 per cent of stocks in European seas are classed as ‘over-fished’, meaning fish are caught more quickly than they can naturally reproduce. Shamefully, the UK is currently 94 out of 152 world countries and 10 out of 31 European countries for rates of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. This needs to be improved, urgently. It is entirely possible to halt this decline and restore our waters to their historic opulence.
When we leave the EU we will take back control of our waters by leaving the Common Fisheries Policy. The new Fisheries Act can set out new scientifically-set maximum sustainable yields, a ban on all bottom trawling, and a ban on fishing in British MCZs and MPAs. This new legislation should be combined with additional capacity and capabilities to protect the UK’s fishing rights.’