British Environment Secretary George Eustice said it was “a big change” to see the US engaging in global climate action following the lack of commitment on the issue from the Trump administration.
No ‘special arrangements’ for the agriculture sector
One of the biggest criticisms of the Private Member’s Bill is that experts warn the region’s agri-food industry will need to be scaled back in order to meet the net-zero target. However, MLAs heard that neither bill will include ‘special arrangements’ to assist farmers in getting to their targets.
“The Bill that we [DAERA] have drafted and, indeed, the Private Member’s Bill, will require other policies to be made in other sections,” Breen explained.
“Once you start opening up primary legislation to assisting farmers, for example, it is open season on amendments to assist every other sector. It would take a very long process, over several years, to get in all the amendments for all the sectors.