The National Trust for the Cayman Islands is pleased to support the passage of the National Conservation Bill 2013.

The National Trust Council has reviewed the National Conservation Bill 2013 (“the Bill”) and is of the view that it represents a balance between the need to preserve our fragile environment and the socio-economic need for our Islands to continue to develop.

There has been much public consultation over the past ten years and the Bill has gone through many changes in order to address the major concerns which have been raised. Whilst there have been compromises on some of the environmental components, the Trust believes that this Bill is a major step towards strengthening the national environmental policy.

The National Conservation Law will complement the Trust’s ongoing environmental conservation work. This is based on the widely accepted principle that the most effective way to protect biodiversity is to protect its habitat. Amongst many other important matters, this Bill addresses the urgent need to establish a mechanism to administer the existing Environmental Protection Fund as well as making provision for the conservation of important Crown properties.

The Trust commends the Honourable Wayne Panton for advancing this long overdue legislation and delivering on his promise to table the Bill before the end of 2013. We urge the Government to pass this Bill into law without delay.

See iNews Cayman story published November 17 2013 “Cayman Islands tables National Conservation Bill” and link to download complete copy of the Bill at:

http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/cayman-islands-tables-national-conservation-bill/