Sewage: Lib Dems bid to block bill which removes clean water regulation
EMBARGO: Immediate release
Sewage: Lib Dems bid to block bill which removes clean water regulation
The Liberal Democrats are fighting 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.
This means that Government Ministers will be forced to treat these regulations separately, with a new debate about whether they should be retained later this month before the remainder of the Bill can be discussed - holding up proceedings to ensure that rivers, lakes and our coast lines are protected.
Liberal Democrat Peer Baroness Bakewell, who tabled the amendments, said:
“The Conservative Government’s decision to scrap these regulations will create a ‘Sewage Dumpers’ Charter’.
“This is short-sighted politics at its worst, putting political posturing above the well-being of our rivers, lakes and swimmers.
"Risking these regulations is reckless and irresponsible. Liberal Democrats will 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 Editors:
First reported in The i
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.
