Sewage: Govt Minister refuses to protect clean water regulations
EMBARGO: IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Today, the Liberal Democrats held up proceedings in the Committee Stage of the Retained EU Law Bill to save regulations that protect both swimmers and wildlife from sewage and other water pollution.
The Bathing Water Regulations and Water Framework Directive are both at risk of being scrapped under the Government’s new Retained EU Law Bill, which aims to remove hundreds of pieces of legislation from UK law.
Liberal Democrat Peers have tabled amendments to the Bill to ensure these two regulations are immune from being discarded.
Government Ministers were forced to treat these regulations separately, with a new debate about whether they should be retained before the remainder of the Bill could be discussed - holding up proceedings to ensure that rivers, lakes and our coast lines are protected.
Lord Benyon, Minister for DEFRA, responded saying that "simply, the Bill is an enabling act, it is up to departments and devolved administrations as to what they do on specific pieces of policy."
The Minister said that he did not expect the Government to reduce their standards on water quality, however he ultimately refused to say whether these two specific regulations would be protected under the REUL Bill.
Lord Benyon also claimed the Government was both "committed to protecting and enhancing water quality" and "respects the significance of the Water Framework Directive", but said that a list of regulations which would be protected was forthcoming.
Liberal Democrat Peer Baroness Bakewell, who tabled the amendments, said:
“Evidently, Conservative ministers are not afraid of creating a ‘Sewage Dumpers’ Charter’.
“This is short-sighted politics at its worst, they are putting political posturing above the well-being of our rivers, lakes and swimmers.
"Risking these regulations is reckless and irresponsible. Liberal Democrats will continue the fight to stop Ministers from casting aside the health of our people and the future of our wildlife with a single, irresponsible stroke.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
Clause 1, page 1, line 4, at beginning insert
“Except for the Bathing Waters Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1675),”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment excludes the Bathing Waters Regulations 2013 from the sunset in Clause 1. The Regulations ensure swimmers can avoid pollution and make informed choices about where and when to swim.
Clause 1, page 1, line 4, at beginning insert “Except for the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/407),”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment excludes the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 from the sunset in Clause 1. The Regulations protect the UK’s water environment.
