Key Facts

• The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is proposed to be amended.
• Section 5(c)(viii) would insert “any form of lead ammunition used in a shotgun.”
• Section 11 (1)(d) would add “uses lead ammunition in a shotgun for the purposes of killing or taking any wild animal.”
• The provisions come into force on January 1, 2023.
• Lead shot is dangerous for wildlife, causing an estimated 75,000 water birds deaths per year.
• Denmark and the Netherlands banned all lead shot use in the 1990s.
• Up to 10,000 UK children from hunting communities are at risk due to lead exposure in game meat.
• There is a desire for change within shooting organizations but also resistance to regulation.
• The British Association for Shooting and Conservation plans to take action within the next five years.
• James Gray feels a strong urge to get back to Wiltshire as soon as possible.
• The Committee is able to sit until 5 pm on Tuesday.
• The new clause would place a clear environmental objective at the head of the Bill.
• It includes commitments given by HM Government in the United Nations Leaders’ Pledge for Nature on 28 September 2020.
• The pledge is voluntary and drafted in non-treaty language to be read widely by constituents.
• The discussion is taking half an hour for two new clauses.
• There is a need to assess the adequacy of environmental legislation within six months of the Act being passed.
• New clause 29 aims to require the Secretary of State to report on climate and ecology challenges.
• The new clause aims to introduce a producer responsibility scheme in England.
• Tobacco companies will provide financial support based on their market share.
• The regulations will set a target for reducing smoking-related waste by 2030.
• An annual report must be published and laid before Parliament.
• Smoking rates in England are currently at their lowest recorded level.
• A roundtable was held with the tobacco industry and other stakeholders in September.
• The Environment Bill confers powers to make regulations requiring specified persons to pay disposal costs of products or materials they place on the market.
• The proposed new clause seeks to extend biodiversity net gain provisions to major infrastructure developments under NSIP regime.
• HS2 project does not have biodiversity net gain, risking 108 ancient woodland sites, 33 Sites of Scientific Interest, and 693 local wildlife sites.
• Government is exploring potential net gain approaches for NSIPs but has commissioned a study into the costs and benefits of mandatory inclusion.
• The new clause aims to amend the Building Regulations 2010 Part G within 12 months of the Act's commencement.
• Current water usage in England and Wales is about 140 litres per person per day, up from 85 litres in the 1960s.
• Tackling household leaks and using innovative technologies could reduce water use by two-thirds over 50 years.
• The new clause requires the Secretary of State to prepare and publish an annual policy statement on air quality.
• The report must be laid before Parliament.
• A Minister of the Crown must make a motion in the House of Commons regarding the report within three months.
• The new clause has cross-party support from 24 MPs.
• Air pollution results in 40,000 deaths per year and costs £20 billion annually.
• Professor Sir Stephen Holgate supports the new clause, emphasizing the importance of indoor air quality and adequate ventilation.
• Cutting air pollution by a fifth would reduce lung cancer cases by up to 7.6% in London.
• There is an 8-14% increased risk of coronavirus deaths for each additional microgram per cubic metre of PM2.5.
• The Minister has regular meetings with chief scientific adviser and chief medical officer on indoor air quality.
• Schedule 11 of the Bill includes requirements for annual statements to Parliament on progress towards local pollution objectives.
• A national air quality strategy will be reviewed every five years under paragraph 2 of schedule 11.
• The UK has an annually compiled national atmospheric emissions inventory reporting total emissions by pollutant and source sector.
• Forest risk commodity is a term defined by regulations made by the Secretary of State.
• A regulated person must not use forest risk commodities unless relevant local laws were complied with in their production.
• Regulated persons must establish due diligence systems to identify, assess risks, and mitigate issues related to non-compliance.
• Annual reports on compliance must be provided to relevant authorities within six months of the reporting period's end.
• Part 2 regulations may confer functions on specified persons as enforcement authorities.
• Regulations can include conferring discretionary functions and authorizing individuals to exercise these functions.
• Enforcement authorities are required to issue guidance about the exercise of their functions and consult with specified persons before issuing such guidance.
• The Committee has been discussing the Bill for 261 days since March.
• The Environment Bill has undergone two Second Readings.
• James Gray thanks the Chair, Clerks, Committee members, shadow Ministers, and his private office staff.
• The Bill Committee concluded its proceedings.
• 230 amendments and 35 new clauses were discussed during the Bill Committee sessions.