28 April 2017
UnitedFuture Warns Against Erosion of Environmental Protections – Dunne

UnitedFuture leader, Hon Peter Dunne has raised concerns that the new National Policy Statement for Fresh Water Management that is currently being consulted upon could open up a "backdoor attack on the principles of environmental management".

Mr Dunne highlighted a commissioned analysis by Fish and Game that argues that the new NPS could lead to a trade-off between environmental protections and economic wellbeing.

"The key issue of concern here is the possibility of a national policy statement that pits economic development against environmental bottom-lines, that possibility is extremely concerning.

"I fervently hope that this is not what the final NPS will establish and I urge the Government to ensure that any policy in this area ensures that environmental protections remain intact in order to protect our finite environment for future generations.

"The key point is that the protection of the environment and economic success need not be traded off against each other, and nor should they be.

"UnitedFuture will be watching this unfolding process closely and will ready to advocate against any weakening of the environmental principles of the Resource Management Act, should they once again be under threat.

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