Osborne on birds and business

In his Autumn Statement on Tuesday Mr Osborne said he was worried about the impact of some EU rules on UK firms and warned against pricing "British business out of the world economy".
"If we burden them with endless social and environmental goals - however worthy in their own right - then not only will we not achieve those goals, but the businesses will fail, jobs will be lost, and our country will be poorer," he said.

So is he finally going to get rid of green taxes and bird mincer supplements?

Nope

He is talking about bird habitats. Fair enough, EU rules regarding conservation may be stifling business, I don't know as it's not really something I've looked at, although EU rules do tend to do more harm than good.

George Osborne told MPs he wanted to make sure that "gold plating of EU rules on things like habitats" were not putting "ridiculous costs" on firms.

It's a fine sentiment but I'm sure you've got bigger fish to fry. If you really care about ridiculous costs burdening firms, why not have a word with this muppet from your own party who wants to regulate hairdressers?
I'm always in favour of de-regulation, but the current powers who like to talk an awful lot, have a terrible track record for actually doing anything. Usually they add more regulations rather than take them away.

Like I said, I don't know anything about EU environmental regulations but I'll bet the birdie charities will be up in arms.

Wildlife charities say news of a review of EU rules protecting habitats is "very alarming" and could water down vital protections for wildlife.
Charities said important protections should not be "brushed aside".
It took a lot of hard work and effort, an awful lot of time to get that legislation in the first place - but just to brush it aside now, after 20 years of success, is incredibly alarming”
RSPB conservation director Martin Harper told BBC Radio 4 the charity was "still reeling" from Tuesday's announcement and said the chancellor's rhetoric was "incredibly unhelpful".

Although Osborne does have some backing.

Mr Osborne was backed by Country Land and Business Association vice president Harry Cotterell, who told BBC Radio 4's Farming Today: "We have always had big, big problems with the Habitats Directive and the way it is being implemented in this country
"We think it is being over implemented, and we think that this is a very very welcome attempt to possibly melt some of the gold plate on the directive.
"Finally we might see a time when human beings are treated with about the same importance as bats, newts and dormice."

Quite. I often feel that these enviroloons put animal welfare far above human welfare. I'm all for looking after the environment, but there has to be a sensible balance.