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Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

My Lords, I support my noble friend Lord Livsey of Talgarth and hope that the Welsh Assembly takes careful note of his wise and informed words on this issue. I shall speak briefly to Amendment No. 134B, which is consequential—in reverse—on Amendment No. 135 because if the noble Lord, Lord Chorley, tests the opinion of the House on that amendment and the House agrees to it, it will be necessary for Amendment No. 134B to have been agreed. I have nothing to add to what the noble Lord, Lord Chorley, said, except to agree with him. Until now, the Government’s position has been to agree that the 25 per cent is important. Our amendment does not interfere with the increased flexibility—it allows local circumstances to be taken into account—it merely ensures that the safeguard is in the Bill.