Steve Brine MP is one of 10 Hampshire-based and 182 UK-wide MPs that have signed the Greener UK coalition's 'pledge for the environment'.
Polling shows 80% of British adults think we need the same or stronger levels of environmental protection after we leave the EU, and The Environment Pledge - coordinated by a coalition of thirteen major environmental organisations including The Wildlife Trusts, National Trust - and the RSPB, commits MPs to do everything in their power to establish the UK as a world leader on the environment by matching or exceeding current environmental, wildlife and habitat protections, ensure that the UK leads on climate action, and create a countryside richer in nature by supporting farmers and landowners to deliver environmental benefits alongside a thriving farming sector.
The pledge signatories now include over half of Hampshire's MPs: Steve Brine (Winchester & Chandler's Ford) Caroline Dinenage (Gosport), Flick Drummond (Portsmouth South), Sir Gerald Howarth (Aldershot), Kit Malthouse (Hampshire North West), Maria Miller (Basingstoke), Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North), Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North), Royston Smith (Southampton Itchen) and Alan Whitehead (Southampton Test).
Winchester MP Steve Brine said: "I said in the days after the 23rd June Brexit vote that the environment was one of the key areas for me as we manage a smooth exit from the European Union. It was useful to catch up with the Trust and hear of their plans locally including the new Barton Meadows nature reserve at Kings Barton and, of course, to show my support for the Green Alliance pledge. This will tie in really well with the launch of our 25-Year Environment Plan this month which I know is greatly anticipated."
Chief Executive of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Debbie Tann said: "The vast majority of people want to see the same or stronger levels of environmental protection after we leave the EU – so it's great to see that MPs from across the political spectrum agree. Our local wildlife habitats, from the Solent coastline in the south to our heathlands in the north, have rightly enjoyed the highest levels of protection under EU law. The Wildlife Trusts look forward to working with MPs to ensure the environment stays high on the agenda."
