In continuing to press for action from the Welsh Government over actions to conserve nature throughout the Welsh 200 nautical mile zone, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has urged her opposite number to secure a firm timeline to amend a troubling legislative discrepancy.
During Climate Change Committee last week, Mrs Finch-Saunders highlighted that there exists a discrepancy between the section 158 definition in the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 which provides responsibility for Natural Resources Wales to promote sustainable management of natural resources up to 12 nautical miles and the Welsh Government’s broader legal responsibility for nature conservation throughout the Welsh 200 nautical mile zone.
Commenting on her call for action, Janet said:
“Whilst a recent Written Question reply stated that the Welsh Government will look for an opportunity to amend the legislation in subsequent years, last week’s Wales Environment Link letter to the First Minister underlined the need to make the restoration of marine wildlife a higher priority.
“To ensure that this crucial policy area remains a political priority, I was pleased to have urged the Minister to clarify what engagement the Welsh Government have undertaken to secure a firm timeline to amend this legislative discrepancy.
“Whilst I welcome the fact that the Minister is treating the law as if it is referring to 200 nautical miles rather than twelve, there is no reason why she could table legislation this term to correct the legal discrepancy.”
Last year, Janet signed the MCS UK pledge to protect Welsh seas. As the Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Janet has been calling on the Welsh Government to prioritise well managed seas as a means of boosting the ‘blue economy’, petitioning for the introduction of a Marine Development Plan.
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
