Chris Huhne

Seven key failures in DEFRA annual report

In response to the publication of the DEFRA annual report today, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris

Huhne MP has released a statement outlining seven key failures of the Department which must be addressed by the new Secretary of State, David ‘Metropolitan’ Miliband.

Commenting, Mr Huhne said:

“David Miliband claims that the next year will be challenging, yet he has failed to acknowledge the true extent of the difficulties ahead.

“Without first recognising the mess which he has inherited from his predecessor Margaret Beckett, the new Secretary of State will be doomed to fail.

“Carbon dioxide emissions must begin falling, with tougher annual targets for reductions. He must also ensure that the Government strengthens the Emissions Trading Scheme, fairly presents the facts on nuclear power and increases green taxes.

“In rural areas he must quickly resolve the rural payments chaos and reverse the trend of declining rural services.”

DEFRA’s seven key failures, as identified by the Liberal Democrats, are:

1. Failure on climate change: carbon dioxide emissions are rising.

2. Flawed climate change strategy: their climate change strategy was almost a year late, with targets for reductions in emissions abandoned.

3. Failing to stand up to the DTI: the Department of Trade and Industry has been allowed to seek an increase in emissions allowed for industry within the EU emissions trading scheme, promote a pro-nuclear energy policy and push through plans for the closure of Centres of Ecology and Hydrology.

4. Failure to stand up to the Treasury: the level of green taxation has been allowed to fall year on year.

5. Failure to tackle waste effectively: overall levels of waste continue to rise year on year and there are plans for a major increase in the use of incineration.

6. Rural payments agency chaos: the latest DEFRA figures for full payments (from 4 May) show only 48.5% of claimants have received their due – leaving over 60,000 still waiting. This despite initial claims that 96% of full payments would be made by the end of March.

7. Failing to protect declining rural services: closure of rural services such as shops and post offices across the Country.