SPOOF plaques commemorating a blocked amendment to the Environment Bill have been installed around Cornwall by environmental campaigners.
On 28th January, local health professionals and residents installed satirical blue plaques across Cornwall to highlight the 'shocking' human health impact of dumping sewage into our seas.
Members of Extinction Rebellion unveiled the blue plaques at several locations in Cornwall including St Agnes, Perranporth, Truro and the St. Austell area in spoof ceremonies as part of a national day of action across the UK.
The plaques highlight the government’s continued failure to tighten environmental regulations and stop profit-grabbing by water companies.
Some plaques name their local MPs, others read: “The UK Government voted to block a law requiring water companies to dump less raw sewage in our waterways and seas, 20 Oct ‘21”.
On this date, MPs blocked an amendment to the Environment Bill, which would have forced water companies in the UK to properly clean up sewage before discharge.
Cornwall protestors, led by health professionals, highlighted the health and welfare implications of this.
Dr Kawita Schur, local GP and Surf Lifesaving Club member said: "Raw sewage dumping is a disgrace from a human and planetary health perspective; the government and industries responsible need to be held accountable for their actions.
"I am a mother and a GP; I strive to keep my family and community healthy, let’s unite to bring about change!"
Dr Bill Stableforth, gastroenterologist at the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, Ocean Rower and volunteer lifeguard, says: "It’s an outrage that water companies have more legal protection than the precious and beautiful coast on which so many of us rely for our physical and mental health, and our livelihoods.
"We cannot accept that South West Water pays 20% of our bills as shareholder dividends whilst knowingly contaminating our waterways and beaches.
"Water users around the UK are being infected by antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains of E.Coli as a result.
"This can result in potentially very serious illness.
"Water companies and government are prioritising profit over the health of our families and the natural places on which we all rely. We simply cannot continue like this."
Dr Colan Robinson, local GP, said: "The government failures are absurd considering the Chief Medical Officer, Prof Chris Whitty, pointed out that sewage in water is a growing public health problem - which is staggering when you remember that separating human waste from drinking water has been one of the major triumphs of public health in the previous 200 years.
"Only vaccination has had a bigger impact on preventing disease and improving public health."
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