I WAS delighted to read about the government’s plans to create five new Marine Conservation Zones around the coast of Dorset, which will help to protect rare or threatened habitats and species for generations to come.

The new zones cover an area to the south of Portland, the Purbeck coast, Albert Field, Studland Bay and Southbourne Rough.

In Dorset, we are lucky to be surrounded by some of most rich and diverse sea life in the world.

Once the zones are designated, hundreds more square kilometres of this precious marine environment will be protected.

No new harmful activities will be allowed to take place in these areas, like dredging or major coastal or offshore development. And existing harmful activities will be minimised or halted to enable important habitats to be restored.

Michael Gove continues to do a fantastic job as Environment Secretary, following through on his commitment to leave the planet in a better state than we found it.

He is leading the fight against single-use plastic and overseeing a number of other important schemes, like the banning of microbeads and ivory sales and the introduction of mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses and tougher sentences for those who abuse animals.

CHRIS LODER

Chairman, Dorset Conservatives