Press release from UK Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Department and Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, President of COP26. COP26 President Alok Sharma gave his closing remarks to the Petersberg Climate Dialogue by video on Tuesday 28 April 2020. The UK, as incoming Presidency for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), co-hosted the two day…
Category: THE POLITICS: Ministers, MPs, government policy
Market lessons
We are re-emerging after decades of hibernation as a campaigner for global free trade. And frankly it is not a moment too soon because the argument for this fundamental liberty is now not being made. The reason we do not seek membership or part membership of the customs union or alignment of any kind, is…
DEFRA non-exec board member describes general licences as ‘appalling’
Well said Ben Goldsmith! If only Ben had some influence on DEFRA… Hang on, isn’t there a Zac Goldsmith who is a DEFRA minister? I wonder if they are related. And isn’t there a Ben Goldsmith who is a non-exec DEFRA Board Member? Could that be the same person? But seriously, thank you for speaking…
A letter from Defra
I’m grateful to my MP, Tom Pursglove, for getting this letter out of DEFRA. Sounds great doesn’t it?
Incredible turn around on Badger cull.
The government will also begin an exit strategy from the intensive culling of badgers, while ensuring that wildlife control remains a tool that can be deployed where the epidemiological evidence supports it. As soon as possible, we intend to pilot badger vaccination in at least one area where the four-year cull cycle has concluded, with…
Labour leadership contest
I’ll be voting in this contest – any advice? Create your own user feedback survey I’ll probably vote next weekend.
EDM 139 – National Wildlife Crime Unit
If your MP is not a minister then they may be prepared to sign this Early Day Motion (#139) which calls for permanent funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit. You could write to them and ask. Many Conservative MPs do not sign any EDMs on the grounds that they are a waste of time…
DEFRA’s very clear explanation
This how DEFRA explains its position on legislation to end burning on deep peat – it should be on all peat, just as the Committee on Climate Change recommended. 54% of pre-existing consents to burn remain – that means that only about a half of landowners have agreed voluntarily to any change. You may remember…
Prentis regards rewilding as an evil
It’s interesting to see the new DEFRA minister Victoria Prentis being so chummy, almost flirting, with Tim Bonner at a Countryside Alliance do – the video sound quality is rather poor. But I was glad to hear that in the middle of central England, Ms Prentis had had more letters against driven grouse shooting than…
Farcical Villiers visit to flood-stricken Calder Valley
I like the Upper Calder Valley Plain Speaker – have a look at what they write about the DEFRA Secretary of State’s (now former Secretary of State’s) visit to flood-stricken Hebden Bridge – click here