Vicki Hird, Farming Campaign Coordinator of Sustain, says
“The government must not sleepwalk into an environmental disaster and allow effective legislation to become useless ‘zombie’ law, say MPs.
MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee have correctly identified a huge risk to the UK farming system and environment from Brexit and new trade agreements. Good EU rules may be neglected when transcribed to UK law or lost entirely.
Our alliance of food and farming organisations supports the MPs’ call for government to be ready and willing to ensure viable and sustainable farming through strong policy and regulations. We need this assurance before Article 50 is triggered.
Brexit and new trade deals without environmental safeguards in place would result in major damage to the natural environment - the soils, pollinators and water - on which farming and everyone depends. So a new Environmental Protection Act or equivalent is vital to set out the legislation needed.“
“The government must not sleepwalk into an environmental disaster and allow effective legislation to become useless ‘zombie’ law, say MPs.
MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee have correctly identified a huge risk to the UK farming system and environment from Brexit and new trade agreements. Good EU rules may be neglected when transcribed to UK law or lost entirely.
Our alliance of food and farming organisations supports the MPs’ call for government to be ready and willing to ensure viable and sustainable farming through strong policy and regulations. We need this assurance before Article 50 is triggered.
Brexit and new trade deals without environmental safeguards in place would result in major damage to the natural environment - the soils, pollinators and water - on which farming and everyone depends. So a new Environmental Protection Act or equivalent is vital to set out the legislation needed.“
End
Contact - Contact Vicki Hird 07903478249 for further comment
NOTES
- Environmental Audit Committee report on The Future of the natural Environment after the EU Referendum. Out 4th January 2017
- Sustain is the UK alliance for better food and farming. It advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity. www.sustainweb.org
- Sustain Coordinated a joint letter signed by over 80 organizations to David Davis and Theresa May to stress the important implications of Brexit on food and farming. The letter and full list of signatories can be found here
Sustainable Farming Campaign: Pushing for the integration of sustainable farming into local, regional and national government policies.
