The head of the National Trust was joined by young environmentalists in making a direct appeal to the incoming Environment Secretary to set up an independent watchdog to protect the natural world for future generations.
In her first major public engagement since being appointed a week ago, Theresa Villiers was quizzed on how the Government will tackle some of the biggest issues facing the next generation.
Climate change, reversing the drastic decline of wildlife, protecting and nurturing habitats as well as ensuring rivers and coastline are pollution-free are among the biggest concerns.
Currently, EU institutions hold the Government to account and can issue fines if commitments or standards are not being met.
This scrutiny disappears once we leave the bloc – prompting the Trust to call for a fully independent watchdog with the teeth to hold government to account to be set up as an urgent replacement.
The charity’s Director General Hilary McGrady shared a stage with Ms Villiers at BBC Countryfile Live, where she called for clarity on Government commitments.
Speaking before the event, Ms McGrady said: “Not all children and young people growing up today are lucky enough to have the access to open, green and nature-rich spaces that I had as a child.
“About 13 per cent of children don’t spend any of their free time outdoors.
“Another 17 per cent spend just a few hours every month playing outside.
“There are some places in this country where families dread the summer holidays because they don’t have access to decent outdoor places that are safe and healthy.
“Everyone needs access to nature as part of their basic wellbeing; and nature needs everyone to take care of it – we need real leadership from our government on the natural environment for the sake of today’s children and future generations.”
And in a direct challenge to the new Secretary of State, she will add: “The new Environment Bill and Agriculture Bills are the single most important pieces of legislation your department will draft for a generation.
“We welcomed the significant progress that was made by Michael Gove over the past three years, and the clear intent to put nature, the environment and our response to the climate emergency at the heart of Government policy. These signals have won overwhelming public support but I can’t recall any incoming Secretary of State enjoying a clearer public mandate and enthusiasm for action.
“And there is so much more to do if we are to reverse the catastrophic decline in nature. Action from the highest levels of Government needs to start now.
“Without the urgent passing into law of a new, ambitious Environment Act, and the complementary new Agricultural Act, the critical foundations for nature’s recovery will be lost.
“So that must be the number one priority for the new Secretary of State.
“The new Office for Environmental Protection – the much needed ‘watchdog’ for nature and the environment – must also be established. It should be able to robustly enforce the law and hold government to account, ensuring long-term progress is made.
“It needs the credibility, authority and resources to be able to meet these expectations. This means it needs to be truly independent and enjoy secure long-term budgets. People will expect it to speak honestly and robustly to those in power.”
