The long pause in the Environment Bill has prompted more ideas for what might be included and several of these have been incorporated into the Bill – notably on sewage pollution from storm overflows and state of nature targets for wildlife.
Defra Environment Bill continues through Parliament
‘New amendments will include legally-binding 2030 species target and measures to reduce sewage discharges into rivers. The Government’s legislation to transform our environment has returned to Parliament today (26 May) for Report Stage and Third Reading in the House of Commons.
Through the Environment Bill, we will clean up the country’s air, restore natural habitats and increase biodiversity. The Bill will also outline how the government will reduce waste, make better use of resources, and improve management of water resources in a changing climate.
The Bill will crack down on water companies that discharge sewage into rivers and will include a world-leading legally-binding species target for 2030, aiming to halt the decline of nature and to protect beloved British animals, such as red squirrels and hedgehogs.’
Needless to say not everyone sees the Bill in quite the same light as the Government. A raw nerve struck and Defra respond to Guardian article.