Earlier this month, after receiving a large volume of correspondence from local residents, Munira contacted the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) regarding environmental welfare and protecting precious uplands.

The Liberal Democrats have been deeply disappointed by the lack of ambition shown in this Environment Bill. It is vital that this Bill is strong enough to protect British nature and our beautiful landscapes. We are already living in one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, our waterways are in a poor condition with just 14% in good condition, and more than 40% of native species are in decline. This is an embarrassment as the Government claims to be increasing ambition and pushing for nature-based solutions in the run-up to both COP26 and the Convention on Biological Diversity – we must get our own house in order first.

Amendments that the Liberal Democrats supported included:

  • Changes to strengthen the independence of the Office for Environmental Protection and give it further enforcement powers.
  • Improvements in air quality targets to ensure that they are at least as strict as the World Health Organization’s targets.
  • To provide that soil health and quality are a priority area for environmental improvement.
  • And to eliminate the harm caused to the environment and individual and public health by the discharge of untreated sewage into rivers.

Commenting, Munira said, “My fellow Liberal Democrat colleagues and I wholeheartedly agree that we must significantly increase our protections for nature and biodiversity in this country, including our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but these improvements will mean nothing without a strong independent body with the powers and resources to hold the Government to account”