DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (369/07) issued by
The Government News Network on 17 October 2007
Proposals for
better protection and better regulation of the seas around Britain
have received broad public support.
More than four in five responses to government consultation
supported plans for a Marine Bill which would introduce new laws
to improve the conservation and management of the UK's marine environment.
There were 8,519 responses to the Marine Bill White Paper, A Sea
Change, with 82 per cent support for the Bill. The responses will
help to shape final government proposals.
Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Marine, Landscape and Rural Affairs, said:
"I am extremely encouraged by the level of support expressed
for our proposals from across the entire range of people,
organisations and businesses that work or have an interest in our
marine environment.
"We are committed to a Marine Bill and a draft bill is
expected early next year. No other country has attempted such a
comprehensive and groundbreaking approach to the enormously
complex issue of marine environment management.
"We need to take a strategic approach across the whole UK so
that all our seas are afforded the same protection. It is
important that we get it right, so that future generations will
continue to benefit from a clean, healthy and productive marine environment."
A summary of responses is online at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/current.htm
For more Marine Bill information go to http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/marine/uk/policy/marine-bill/index.htm
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