WHEN IT COMES TO DOING SOMETHING FOR FARMERS AND RURAL BUSINESSES IN ENGLAND THE (BRITISH) ENVIRONMENT AGENCY IS A WIMP

CEP Media Unit
Rural businesses and farmers in Scotland and England are faced with the same hostile economic climate. The difference is however that the Scottish rural industry has saved £550,000 as a result of efforts by Scotland's Protection Environment Agency (SEPA) working with the Scottish Government to promote economic recovery. ‘In comparison the (British) Environment Agency responsible for England is nothing more than a wimp,’ is the message which the Council of the Campaign for an English Parliament has sent round to its national membership, urging them to contact their MPs about the issue. ‘In this area the EA has nothing to show but fine words and the British Government not even that.’

‘SEPA was asked by Scottish Ministers to look at ways in which it could ease the financial burden on business and help stimulate economic activity. In response SEPA announced a 10 point plan in November which supports its Government's own Economic Recovery Plan. Now, a mere three months later, this is what SEPA has achieved:

* Its flagship measure, waiving fees for environmental permits, has so far benefited businesses to the tune of £344,000 with 1,545 fees waived * The waiver of licence fees for the disposal of sheep dip has saved farmers around £160,000 (with further savings estimated at £133,000 in 2009-10) * The waiver of fees for water abstraction licences has saved over 70 rural businesses £46,000
Scotland’s Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham has said: " By waiving these fees SEPA is supporting the farming, fishing, forestry and food industries that are the lifeblood of the rural economy and our rural communities.”
‘And in England? All there has been from the Environment Agency is just a call from its Chairman Lord Chris Smith to the UK government in a speech on February 11th in which he urged a package of green measures on the UK Government:

· Making electricity ‘carbon-free’ by 2030 including decarbonising coal and coal and gas power stations through the demonstration and deployment of carbon capture and storage. (The Government in response is considering a new coal power station in Kingsnorth in Kent without carbon capture and storage)
· Setting an example to business by ensuring all public buildings are fitted with solar or photovoltaic panels and new buildings are fitted with ground-source pumps. Public land should be used, where possible, for wind power generation.
· Electrification of all ground transport so that it no longer relies on fossil fuels

‘Fine words, noble aspirations but that is all,’ states the CEP. ‘No action taken by either the EA or the UK government. What England needs is what Scotland has got: its own parliament with Members elected like in Scotland dedicated to the concerns of England and the power to do something; Members who, like the MSPs do for Scotland, put England first as their expressed constitutional duty. Why should English farmers and rural businesses be denied the advantages Scotland has when we are all in the same United Kingdom?’
Contact:
Michael Knowles CEP Media Unit. Tel: 01260 271139 Email: michael-knowles@tiscali.co.uk

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