THE RIVER Wye, the iconic river of England and Wales, is deteriorating rapidly. Faced with this challenge, a group of parliamentarians for local areas has been convened by Talgarth peer, Lord Lipsey, aiming to encourage the government and parliament to act over the deterioration of the River Wye.
Representatives of the Group met Baroness Hayman of Ullock, the responsible minister on 23rd October to advance proposals for tackling this disaster.
Among the ideas advanced was the minister should chair a local meeting with all the parties involved to discuss ways forward. A bill should be introduced to tackle agricultural pollution – in the case of the Wye at least 60% caused by chicken poo.
The law firm, Leigh Day, are supporting the group.
The parliamentary group meeting was initially formed in September. It includes Jesse Norman, Conservative MP for South Herefordshire; David Chadwick, newly elected Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe; Ellie Chowns, newly elected Green MP for North Herefordshire; Lord Lisvane, a crossbencher and former Clerk of the House of Commons who lives close to the Wye; Matt Bishop, newly elected Labour for the Forest of Dean and Catherine Fooks, the newly elected Labour MP for Monmouthshire.
David Lipsey said: “The growing army of local defenders of the Wye can now rely on local parliamentarians of all parties to fight their cause.”
To contact Lord David Lipsey, email [email protected].
