The Senate Concludes A Meeting With The Passage Of A Bill To Protect The Nation’s Fragile Environment

Senators in the Upper House of Parliament have approved the passage of the Environment Protection and Management Bill 2015.

The purpose of legislation is to provide a framework for regulation, including the protection of the environment for the present and future generations and protection of human health.

It also includes the conservation of biological diversity in conformity with the natural bio-geographic characteristics of Antigua & Barbuda.

Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Senator Lennox Weston, believes that the act will provide a framework for more focus to be placed on environment conservation methods. He says specific attention must also be given to fisher folk who ply their trade around certain protected areas.

Senator Shawn Nicholas, in adding her support for the bill, says it is a very important piece of legislation and adds that protecting the environment is also a social responsibility of citizens that cannot be over-emphasized. She commends the Environment Awareness Group (EAG) for its role in educating the public about the importance of the legislation. She also encourages persons to do their own due diligence.