Protect UK Environment. Sign the Petition to Revoke Article 50

Environmental issues have not really taken much prominence in the Brexit debate yet they represent some of the EU’s greatest successes. Thanks to the EU we have changed from being known as The Dirty Man of Europe in the 70s and 80s to having a better and more protected environment.  With the support of and finding from the EU we now have:

• Cleaner inland waterways
• 124 Blue Flag beaches
• Increased recycling
• Protected natural habitats
• Investment in renewable energy
• Eco-Schools programme
• Bee protection by banning neonicotinoid  insecticides which threaten entire bee populations. 
 

The River Chess near Chorleywood, Hertfordshire - a clean and healthy river.

However, outside of the EU the Government would be able to bring in controversial technologies such as GM food and fracking and would not be tied to high EU environmental standards. It has already indicated a reluctance to prevent overfishing by not setting limits on how many fish can be caught, which greatly increases the risk of the collapse of fish populations.  Whn considering the need for new trade deals is is believed that the US has stated that any trade deals with the UK would be subject to allowing the importing of chlorinated US factory farmed chicken. Whilst there is debate about how true this statement is, what can be certain is that should we create trade deals with the US, our shelves could be filled with products with lower environmental standards.



The EU is far from perfect and this is true of some of its environmental policies including the Common Agricultural Policy which sees money given to farmers, often for simply leaving land bare or uncultivated with little funding for environmental improvement on this land.  Outside of the EU this would be stopped which could be a good thing ... but only if the Government were to introduce a new scheme which is better for the environment. Landowners who have lost funding for CAP payments are unlikely to suddenly start paying out to improve the environment.

Furthermore it must be remembered because environmental issues have no respect for political borders they are easier to tackle of there is international agreement as found on the EU.  The wider environment is likely to suffer if the UK is not working with other European countries.

Whilst the UK could choose to maintain the current levels of environmental protection or even raise them, I ask you this - do you truly believe a Government that can make such a hash of delivering Brexit can be trusted to secure the future protection of our environment?  Something in my bones tells me we need the combined strength of the EU for this to happen and once outside of the EU the UK's environment will be left to "the will of the Government."  I know how I feel about this.  This is why I took myself off to the UK this weekend to take part in the March to demand a People's Vote on Brexit and the chance to revoke article 50 completely. 

And it is for that reason I ask that if you are a British citizen living anywhere in the world or a UK resident of any nationality then you sign the petition asking the Government to revoke Article 50 and keep us in the EU - for our environment's sake if nothing else.

Petition: Revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU.

And once you have signed can you spread the word.  This is a great link to share detailing how you can encourage other remainers to sign >>> 17 million signatures.  Please don't be the person who stops this petition reaching 17 million.

There are many reasons why the people of the UK want to stay in the EU and for me the protecting our environment is right up there alongside citizen's rights, freedom of movement and friction-less trade.