Press Release
30 July 2009
BMF campaign secures key victories on Marine and Coastal Access
Bill
Following a successful year long Parliamentary
campaign, the British Marine Federation (BMF) has secured crucial
changes to and statements of assurance from the Government on the
Marine and Coastal Access Bill. The Bill is expected to become law
in the autumn, having completed the majority of its passage through
the House of Commons.
The key wins achieved by the BMF so far, on behalf of the
industry, include:
- A commitment by the Government to consult industry on any
changes to the marine licensing regime, including the exemption of
maintenance dredging activities. The consultation, framed with BMF
input, is now live and the BMF is calling for members to submit
their views.1
- The removal of a clause specifically targeting recreational
users on restrictions to activity in proposed Marine Conservation
Zones. The Government accepted BMF and RYA objections that this
measure was unjust and not legally viable.
- Assurances from the DEFRA Minister responsible for the Bill,
Huw Irranca-Davies MP, on the Parliamentary record, that the
proposed coastal path will not impact negatively on boatyards and
marinas and that Natural England will have a duty to consult
business owners where there is any objection to the
route.2
- A continued commitment by the Government to take economic
concerns into account when deciding on the areas to be declared as
Marine Conservation Zones - achieved despite a concerted campaign
by other lobby groups to drop these considerations.
The BMF has been active in building political
support from all parties in both the House of Commons and House of
Lords for industry priorities and has developed a successful
working relationship with the civil servants framing the
legislation. Huw Irranca-Davies MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary
of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
praised this proactive approach, stating:
“We in the Department have had a number of
discussions with boating and marina organisations, such as the
British Marine Federation…. I am glad that we have engaged with
them extensively.”
The Bill is now effectively ‘on hold’ over the
summer until MPs return in October. It is expected to become law
before the opening of Parliament in mid-November.
Commenting on the success, BMF Executive
Director Howard Pridding said:
“The key gains achieved by the BMF on the
Marine and Coastal Access Bill will ensure that this crucial piece
of legislation works in the best interests of the leisure marine
industry.
“By working hard during the passage of the
Bill and listening to what members wanted, the BMF has built
political support and established a close and mutually beneficial
working relationship with those responsible in Government. This
would not have been achieved without considerable efforts from my
team and the input of a number of members, so I would like to thank
everyone who played a part. The Bill has significant
implications for the leisure marine sector, not seen since the
introduction of the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) and the
required lobbying effort from the BMF was similar to that put into
the recent Red Diesel campaign.
“We can now look forward to taking advantage
of the opportunities presented by this legislation, such as the
establishment of a coastal path around the UK, confident that our
priorities will be fully taken into account. However, we will
continue to monitor and influence the detail of the ensuing
secondary legislation to safeguard the future of boating and marine
businesses.”
More information on the BMF’s viewpoint and
its activity with regards to the Bill is available here: www.britishmarine.co.uk/m&cabill
1 To access this consultation,
please go to
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marine-bill/consultation.pdf
for details. The closing date for submissions is 22nd
September 2009.
2 To view the relevant section of
Hansard containing these assurances, please go to
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmpublic/marine/090709/pm/90709s04.htm#end
ENDS
For more information please contact Rebecca
Jackson in the BMF press office on 01784 223627 or rjackson@britishmarine.co.uk.
-ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-
1. The British Marine
Federation has almost 1,500 members representing an industry
employing more than 35,000 people in the UK. Members are drawn from
both the seagoing and inland sectors of the marine industry
covering the leisure boat, hire fleet, commercial workboat and
superyacht categories and supporting services. For more information
about the work of the BMF and how to join, please visit the website
at http://www.britishmarine.co.uk/
2. For more
information on the Marine and Coastal Access Bill and the work of
the BMF’s lobbying team, please contact Brian Clark – BMF
Environment Executive – via BClark@britishmarine.co.uk
or on 01784 223644