Commenting on news reports that the UK government will use tomorrow’s “mini Budget” to weaken rules regulating the levels of phosphates and nitrates in waterways, Greenpeace UK’s chief scientist Dr Doug Parr said:
“Instead of cracking down on the tsunami of sewage entering our rivers and seas, Liz Truss is now allowing housing firms to add to the problem. Sewage treatment plants are already among the main sources of phosphate and nitrogen pollution in our waterways. If rules on these chemicals are weakened, housing developers won’t need to worry about the impact of the extra waste pumped into an already dysfunctional sewage system.
“As we feared, the prime minister can’t distinguish between nature protection and red tape. By unleashing fracking and ripping up rules protecting wildlife and its habitats, Liz Truss is sending a clear signal that she’s coming for the ‘green and pleasant land’ many Conservative voters want to see protected.”
ENDS
Contact: Greenpeace UK news team at press.uk@greenpeace.org and on 020 7865 8255
