Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath and Liberal Democrat Climate and Energy spokesperson, met with Eve Gleeson, a volunteer at Bath Organic Group's garden on the Upper Bristol Road. They discussed the positive impact of community farming on wellbeing and biodiversity.
Eve Gleeson is also a researcher at ShareAction, a charity that promotes Responsible Investment and aims to improve corporate behaviour on environmental, social and governance issues.
During the meeting, Hobhouse and Gleeson discussed action on pesticides such as neonicotinoids to protect insect populations that are integral to our ecosystem. The Bath MP is strongly committed to enhancing biodiversity and is leading on the Ecology Bill, which would require the government to reverse, not just halt, nature loss in the UK if passed.
Mrs Hobhouse also raised the issue of Brexit’s impact on farming and environmental regulations. The UK's exit from hundreds of EU standards could leave us vulnerable to pesticides that damage human health and biodiversity.
Growing food sustainably is at the heart of the Garden's ethos, and members of the community volunteer to look after the space, grow crops, and be with nature.
Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath and Liberal Democrat Climate and Energy spokesperson, commented:
"I was thrilled to visit the Bath Organic Group's garden and meet with Eve from ShareAction to discuss the vital role of community involvement in promoting sustainable farming practices.
“With regulations coming under threat, it is vitally important that our strong agricultural standards are not compromised, or we risk undermining our British farming community. It is paramount that this Government stop standing by and begin to protect our wildlife.”