View from the riverbank The Voice
These are challenging times both physically and mentally , and demonstrate how restricting our freedom to enjoy the outdoors , can have a deeply detrimental effect on the wellbeing of our nation .
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Despite this , British Canoeing ’ s Places to Paddle Team has continued to push forward with the Clear Access , Clear Waters campaign . Far from clipping our efforts to secure fair , shared access to our waters , the Covid-19 crisis has emboldened us with even greater resolve to make our voice heard on a range of issues that affect the places we paddle and swim .
In just two years , we have become increasingly more active on topics including invasive non native species , plastic pollution and most recently water quality . The start of 2021 has given us an opportunity to have our voice heard at the highest levels and make representation on your behalf , to three important government inquiries :
Environmental Audit Committee ( EAC ) - Water Quality
In England , surface , coastal and ground waters suffer from significant pollution problems . Our rivers and our health are under attack from the discharge of raw sewage , microplastics and harmful chemicals that end up in the rivers we paddle . Paddlers , swimmers and anglers alike recognise that water quality has implications across the whole ecological system , from plant life to fish stocks to the health of the population .
In our submission to the EAC , who are looking into the effect all this is having on people and nature , we highlighted our extreme concern about the impact this will have on water users .
Environment , Farming and Rural Affairs - Engagement on ELMS
The new ‘ Environmental Land Management Scheme ’ will eventually replace EU subsidies to farmers and has the potential to greatly improve how we all access and enjoy the countryside . Public money will be targeted at ‘ public good ’ which could mean improving access to our waterways . The recent EFRA consultation sought feedback on how well stakeholders have been engaged with to date .
More information on this can be found here .
Lords Committee on Sport - A National Plan for Sport
At the end of 2020 , a new Committee in the House of Lords was set up to look at a wide range of issues including how to increase physical activity , participation in sport , and whether current funding structures are effective in allocating money to areas with the most impact . These issues particularly aim to focus on underrepresented groups including women and girls , disabled people , those from ethnic minority communities and low income groups .
British Canoeing ’ s response to this addressed a broad range of topics , but specifically related to access . In January we used our voices individually and collectively to ensure that the places we paddle are protected and enhanced for the future .
Growing our profile and being a strong voice on your behalf is crucial in building our case for legislative change on access to water in England and Wales .
British Canoeing is also making itself heard on a range of other Government consultations and inquiries including :
Trespass
> British Canoeing and its partners continue to keep a close eye on
proposals to criminalise trespass . A petition that secured a debate in the House of Commons , was due in January but then delayed so we await publication of further details of the Bill itself .
Landscape ( Glover ) Review
> Government Report due 2021 .
Environment Bill
> ( Delayed until next session of Parliament - late 2021 )
Canoe Focus Early Spring 2021