UK Parliament / Open data

Environment Bill

Proceeding contribution from Rebecca Pow (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 20 October 2021. It occurred during Debate on bills on Environment Bill.

I completely disagree with the hon. Lady, although I am listening to what she is saying. There is no complacency whatever on this. In fact, soil will be one of the top priorities in our new environmental land management and sustainable farming initiative schemes. So it will be prioritised. It is the stuff of life. All farmers and landowners understand that we have to get it right. The soil health action plan will absolutely drive that forward, as have action plans in many other areas, such as peat. We are now bringing that all into being, so I can categorically say that this will happen. I really hope that that gives her some reassurance.

2.45 pm

I also urge Members to look at the written ministerial statement on this matter, which was published just yesterday. The plan and its actions will create a robust baseline from which we can monitor improvements in

soil health, identify trends and support informed policy decisions, including any future environmental targets for soil health.

On Lords amendment 3, on air quality, the Government are committed to driving forward tangible and long-lasting improvements to the air we breathe. We will set ambitious air quality targets through the Bill, including a specific target on PM2.5 which is the air pollutant that has the most significant impact on human health. Delivering ambitious reductions in PM2.5 will require action from everyone: national Government, local government, businesses and individual citizens. The more ambitious the targets, the greater the level of intervention that will be required.

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
701 cc793-4 
Session
2021-22
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
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