GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands – Members of the Legislative Assembly are scheduled to reconvene at 10 am today, Thursday, 12 December, 2013, to continue debate on the proposed National Conservation Law.

Environment Minister Hon. Wayne Panton began the debate Wednesday followed by submissions from Finance and Economic Development Minister Marco Archer and Education and Employment Councillor Winston Connolly.

The debate comes after more than 10 years of discussion about national conservation legislation and a past week filled with public meetings in all districts.

The Bill before the House, Minister Panton said, is one that has been substantially changed from its original form. It has been amended after Government listened to concerns and suggestions from Members of the Opposition and the public.

“It’s not possible to amend it further without rendering it absolutely useless,” Mr. Panton said.

“Our collective leadership will be judged a failure if we don’t take this Bill and pass it into law,” he told those in the House, saying that those Members who opposed the Bill profess they favour conservation, but won’t approve legislation to save the environment in the Cayman Islands.

“For some people they would cut down an ironwood tree so they can sit on the stump and issue proclamations and speeches about what kind of conservationists they are,” he said.

He gave a timetable of the legislation, from initial discussions in 1997, the first draft of legislation in 1998-2000, a White Paper and draft bill in 2002; more meetings in 2002-2004, amendments from 2005-2009; and more extensive public consultation in 2010.

The Minister implored the members of the House to pass the legislation.

“We must not and we cannot fail,” he said. “We must not fail ourselves; we must not fail our children.”

Minister Archer quoted Psalm 104 in which the psalmist gives an interpretation to the many voices of nature, and sings both of creation and providence. He also read a report done by his nine-year old daughter for a school project that extolled the importance of preserving native vegetation in the Cayman Islands, including mangroves and important land and plants. He found the report on his computer and pondered the thought that while the Progressives Government is trying to get conservation legislation approved, the children who will inherit the country the older generation leaves behind are already aware of the need of the law.

He also told the House that he is voting favourably for the bill because he feels convicted to do so.

Mr. Connolly said the legislation is needed to set down a series of rules that set out parameters for sustainable development.

He said there is a movement toward making the Cayman Islands more sustainable – economically, environmentally and socially – and that today’s lawmakers have a responsibility to ensure that future generations inherit a healthy and viable environment.