WALES: No environment in Queen's Speech, says Bates

Mick Bates AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat countryside spokesperson, has today commented that a number of serious legislative issues exist for the Welsh environment due to omissions in the Queen's Speech proposals.

He said: "Once again the Queen's Speech proposals contain only one Wales specific Bill and it has nothing to do with promised animal health powers, our need for more affordable housing or our desire to have a different GM settlement; a nuclear bail-out bill is simply not enough when waste, road traffic and energy consumption are all rising".

The Welsh Liberal Democrats want the environment and our living, working landscape at the heart of government. It is desperately urgent that we tackle threats from pollution, climate change and waste. We need to boost energy conservation and renewable generation, while reducing road traffic congestion and promoting public transport.

"The environment should be at the heart of government, not out on a limb", said Mr Bates, "Ministers' sound-bites about their commitment to a working countryside and sustainable environment are not to be found in these proposals".