We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.MPs criticise Defra flood Bill
MPs have branded the Government’s planned Bill to avert future flooding disasters as ‘confusing’ and ‘poorly drafted’ and criticised it for giving too much power to the Environment Agency.
The cross-party group of MPs on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) committee said Defra was missing a ‘once in a parliament’ opportunity to introduce decent legislation to protect Britain from the sort of flooding that devastated the country in the summer of 2007.
But in its report published today (Wednesday, September 23), the committee criticised Defra’s draft Flood and Water Management Bill for giving sweeping powers to the Environment Agency and ignoring local knowledge.
Efra committee chairman Michael Jack MP said the draft Bill relied on a top-down approach that would ignore locally tailored solutions.
“We urge the Government to allow a more collaborative and consultative approach.
“Individuals and communities affected by flooding and coastal erosion will fight to save their homes and livelihoods. It’s crucial that their concerns and interests be properly taken into account when devising a response to a flooding incident,” he said.
Catchment area flood management boards, similar to Regional Flood Defence Committees, could be a possible way forward, he added.
With the next General Election around the corner, the Efra committee warned Defra ministers to resist the temptation to rush the legislation through ‘simply to be seen to be doing something rather than nothing’.
A Defra spokesperson said the department didn’t want to delay changes.
“We still retain the ambition for unified legislation on floods and water, but we don’t want to delay changes that will improve protection to people’s lives and property – which is why we have been pressing ahead with this legislation. The terrible damage to homes and lives caused by flooding in 2007 has not been and must not be forgotten.
“We welcome the Committee’s report, and many of their recommendations will help us to make better legislation – in particular their points on ensuring local authorities play a significant part in managing local flood risk,” said the spokesperson.