Below is a copy of an email our group have sent to the major political party members, standing, locally, in the general election.
We will, of course, post any replies received.
Ar Yr Ymyl – On The Verge Talgarth are a group formed in 2019 to combat the disappearance of wildlife habitats and to address environmental issues on a local basis.
We have sown wildflower seeds and planted wildflower plug plants at 5 sites in and around the environs of Talgarth.
We would be interested to receive the view of your party on 3 critical concerns with regard to the negative impact to the environment:
1/ USE OF PEAT BASED PRODUCT, given that…
DEFRA, once again, has ignored expert advice about banning peat. Judith Stewart, DEFRA's Soil and Peatland Policy Specialist, announced that they will continue to wait until 2030 to phase out industry use of horticultural peat. This is despite a clear message from the Climate Change Committee (an independent advisory body which gives expert advice to the government) that sales of horticultural peat should be banned by 2023.
2/ USE OF WEEDKILLERS AND INSECTICIDES, SPECIFICALLY USED BY GARDENERS AND COUNCILS -
The World Health Organisation listed glyphosate as probably carcinogenic. Numerous other independent research studies have looked into the chemical's negative impacts. These include damage to liver, kidney and skin cells, as well as disruption to soil and aquatic life.
3/ UNNECESSARY SHORT CAR JOURNEYS –
Drivers who needlessly travel short distances expose themselves to harmful 'pollution bursts' in the first five minutes, report claims
Emissions systems fitted in cars take around 5 minutes to activate
Many journeys undertaken in urban areas are so short that half of the time spent in a car would be during these periods of high pollution levels
Campaigners have called for motorists to cover short journeys without their car
A study found that air pollution levels in London plummeted by 89% during the London Marathon because drivers were restricted from the capital's roads
By ROB HULL FOR THISISMONEY.CO.UK
PUBLISHED: 07:55, 11 May 2018 | UPDATED: 11:06, 11 May 2018
Your party’s views are sought on the above issues.
Regards,
Martin Draper - Chair More stories