CIEH Calls on Candidates and Parties to Commit to Environmental Health

CIEH has launched its new Manifesto for Environmental Health and called on all political parties and Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs) to commit to supporting environmental health.

Environmental Health plays a vital role in all our lives, from the food we eat to the air we breathe. This election, CIEH is asking every political party and PPC to recognise the important work carried out by Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) in our communities and to commit to the policy recommendations in the new Manifesto for Environmental Health.

Covering essential issues such as housing standards, environmental protection, food safety and public health, the Manifesto for Environmental Health makes a series of recommendations to keep our country healthy and safe.

Key Recommendations:

• Commit to maintain and improve food safety and standards as the UK leaves the EU
• Create a new Minister for Food to oversee the National Food Strategy
• Make the display of Food Hygiene Ratings by food businesses in England mandatory
• Establish new transparent and independent environmental regulators for all UK nations
• Commit to legally-binding air quality targets in line with World Health Organisation guidelines
• Introduce a mandatory national registration scheme for landlords and agents in England
• Make energy efficiency a priority for housing across all UK nations

Anne Godfrey, CIEH Chief Executive, said:

“This election, we have written to political parties and Prospective Parliamentary Candidates asking them to proudly support environmental health and to commit to the policy recommendations in our flagship Manifesto for Environmental Health.

This is a unique chance for parties and candidates to show that they value the work of Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) across our country who do so much to protect our environment and keep us safe.

We have already seen positive messages from across the political spectrum and we hope to see these reflected in the manifestos being published by political parties over the coming weeks.”