GREEN MEP welcomes new Marine Conservation Zones but challenges government to do more than ‘performance politics’ on the environment
Green MEP, Molly Scott Cato, has welcomed the designation of 23 new Marine Conservation Zones, eight of which are in the South West [1]. New zones include Land's End, Hartland Point to Tintagel and Bideford to Foreland Point. Molly said:
“I am delighted to see the recognition of 23 more Marine Conservation Zones and I'm very proud to represent a region where so much of the coastline is recognised as having particular environmental value. We should celebrate such great wealth and this status offers an opportunity to protect and restore the precious wildlife of our coasts and sea.
“However, paper promises are worth little unless they have legal standing and staff to enforce them. With DEFRA facing 30% cuts to their budget it appears that the government is engaging in performative politics rather than showing any real commitment to environmental protection.”