On Friday 31 January, during the Third Meeting of the 2024-2025 Session of Parliament, Minster for Sustainability & Climate Resiliency and Wellness, the Hon. Dwayne Seymour issued a statement withdrawing the National Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2024.
In his statement, Minister Seymour noted that the National Conservation Act, in its current form, created several difficulties that could only be addressed by the Parliament.
“There is a legal/policy issue as it relates to the proportionate balance to be struck between the powers given to the NCC to override decisions of other public bodies, (potentially including the constitutionally created Cabinet) and the ability of those other public bodies in the exercise of their own statutory functions,” said Minister Seymour.
The withdrawal follows a 28-day public consultation period which concluded on Monday 27 January, and resulted in 511 individual responses from members of the public.
International and local organisations such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Birds, the Central Caribbean Marine Institute, the Cayman Islands National Trust, the National Conservation Council and Sustainable Cayman submitted letters expressing their perspectives on the proposed Amendment Bill. The feedback, which largely opposed the Amendment Bill, was compiled in a Quick Report and shared with the Minister in advance of the parliamentary session. Meanwhile, a paper to members of the Cabinet with the feedback received during the consultation period is being drafted for its further information as well.
Minister Seymour indicated that at a later juncture, Parliament would reconvene to discuss the matter with a view to realigning the imbalance of power created by the legislation in its current form.
Today’s withdrawal of the National Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2024 shows that the Minister and Government have listened to the public comments and will take some additional time to consider the feedback received.
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