The Environment Bill will ensure the environment is at the heart of all policy making. It will ensure that future governments are held to account if they fail to uphold their environmental duties. These will include meeting net zero by 2050, which you may be aware was a Bill that I piloted through Parliament as Cheltenham's MP, as well as wider long-term legally binding targets on biodiversity, air quality, water, and resource and waste efficiency.
I introduced the Net Zero Bill because of my deep concern about the conclusions of the International Panel on Climate Change about measures required to meet the Paris Climate Accord targets.
I'm delighted that the Government subsequently committed the UK to the Net Zero carbon emissions target. We are the first country in the G7 to legislate and set such an ambitious legal requirement. The Queen’s Speech included plans for the new Environment Bill which will transform the UK’s environmental governance, putting environmental principles into law and establishing a new Office for Environmental Protection.
Turning to the point about animal research, I am a strong believer in the highest standards of animal welfare. I was one of a group of backbenchers that campaigned to increase the penalties for people who abuse animals from six months in prison to five years. I also spoke out in favour of a ban on the ivory trade, later announced by the Government in October 2017 and championed the ban on third-party puppy and kitten sales in England to help drive up animal welfare standards. Marc Abraham, the vet who led the campaign, was kind enough to say publicly that my support for the campaign was "of phenomenal use".
As a minister, I am not able to sign and support amendments and/or new clauses. That said, I entirely support the principle of animal testing being available purely as a last resort, and also the principle of proactive reduction and replacement wherever scientifically possible. This is a matter I will continue to raise with ministerial colleagues.
