The Government has delayed the publication of environmental targets relating to the Environment Act 2021 which were due to be published today.
Annoucement of the delay was confirmed in the form of a written Ministerial Statement issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs last week to both Houses of Parliament on on behalf of newly-appointed Secretary of State Dr Thérèse Coffey.
The statement says:
“In March 2022, the Government launched its consultation on targets relating to the Environment Act 2021, determined to leave our environment in a better state than we found it.
“It included around 800 pages of evidence that were published following three years of developing the scientific and economic evidence. The consultation closed on 27th June. We received over 180,000 responses, which all needed to be analysed and carefully considered. In light of the volume of material and the significant public response we will not be able to publish targets by 31st October, as required by the Act . However, I would like to reassure this House and all interested parties that we will continue to work at pace in order to lay draft statutory instruments as soon as practicable.
“We remain committed to our future target to halt the decline in species by 2030 as included on the face of the Environment Act, and to bring forward the wider suite of targets specified under the Act.”
Defra said significant work has been undertaken to progress the ambitious environmental targets resulting from the Environment Act 2021.
Dr. Coffey added:
"I was part of the ministerial team that created the 25 Year Environment Plan and prepared the Environment Bill presented to Parliament in 2019.
"Defra will continue to work at pace to finalise these environmental targets."
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