Stevenson Calls for Maintaining Links to International Bodies on Climate and Environment

SNP MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast, Stewart Stevenson called for the UK to allow nations of UK to continue to work with international bodies on issues of climate change and the environment.

Mr Stevenson spoke during a Parliamentary debate where he called on the UK Government to ensure Scotland maintains a fully functional relationship with other countries in Europe on environment and climate issues. He stressed the benefits of international co-operation on environmental policy and criticised Tory interference.

Commenting, former Minister for Environment & Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson MSP said,

“The Scottish Government continues to deliver on the environment, delivering in 2014 what should have taken us till 2020 - six years ahead of schedule. The UK Government meanwhile continues to interfere and hinder the Scottish Government’s environmental ambitions. Their interference on renewables is just one of several examples. It is ridiculous for the Tories to suggest otherwise.

“The suggestion by Nigel Farage and friends that the EU is restraining the UK with detrimental regulations is a joke. Out of 2,466 decisions on laws, the EU Council of Ministers overruled the UK 56 times – less than 1 per cent of the total decisions. The UK Government chose not to reject the overwhelming majority of regulation.

“The environment is an international issue – it affects people across Europe and beyond. International co-operation has encouraged our focus on environmental policy – this led to Scotland leading the way for countries across the continent. We must continue to have the highest possible standards and not allow the Tories to undermine our international agreements to support the environment.”