Shadow Environment Minister Ottiwell Simmons has hit back at the new Government blueprint for biodiversity.

The Pembroke East MP peppered many of the stated aims of the UBP in their new document, Keys to Partnership.

He said, contrary to Government claims, the environment is stressed with too much development, pollution and a lack of protection for the natural resources.

Mr. Simmons said not enough of the Island was protected.

"We are one of the most densely populated countries in the world,'' he said.

"Development is too concentrated.'' The UBP outlined its plans for the environment in its five year mission statement called Keys to Partnership.

Under the title Preserving the Rock and our Quality of life Initiative, the paper recognises the value of the environment and natural resources.

Responsibility for preserving biodiversity with far-sighted policies, including protecting up to half of the Island's land, are stated.

Points include declaring the Railway Trail a national treasure, and developing and protecting it in conjunction with the private sector.

Banning the use of anchors in inshore waters, initiating a complete study of sewage treatment, ensuring a full clean-up of the former Base Lands and bringing in new emission standards for vehicles are also underlined.

In addition the Government aims to form partnerships with conservation bodies such as the National Trust in a bid to educate the public and promote environmental protection.

But Mr. Simmons slammed the plans, in particular the aims for reducing vehicle emissions.

"There are too many vehicles on the road already. We should be putting restraints on the number of vehicles.'' He said a PLP Government would have to put right a number of errors by the UBP. He slated emission control plans and Government vehicles, which he said were some of the worst polluters.

On the plans for the former Base Lands, he said the Government should have insisted the land be returned to its former glory, before the armed forces left.

Ottiwell Simmons ENVIRONMENT ENV