A sustainable development law published today could undermine the Government's Welsh language strategy, according to campaigners. 

Environment Minister John Griffiths has published a White Paper on a Sustainable Development Bill which would make sustainable development the 'central organising principle' for public sector strategic decisions. 

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has warned the plans suggest the Welsh language will not be part of the sustainable development agenda outlined in the Bill, contrary to a commitment in the Government's recently-published language strategy to "mainstream the language into all of our work related to supporting and developing communities across Wales."

Toni Schiavone, sustainable communities spokesperson for Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg commented: 

"The government's language strategy is completely clear that Welsh needs to be mainstreamed in all its departments, especially where the work affects the future of Welsh speaking communities. However, under this Bill, there is a risk that public bodies will downgrade the Welsh language as a policy consideration.  It's not clear that John Griffiths' office realises the size of the challenge which face our Welsh language communities - this should be one of the issues at the top of his agenda. 

"The Government intends to make sustainable development  public bodies' 'central organising principle'. In that context, it's essential that the welfare of the Welsh language is part of the definition of sustainable development.  The majority of decisions and policies - including housing developments and education reorganisation - affect the language; and Welsh has suffered in the past because of unsustainable decisions in a number of fields. So, this law is an important chance to ensure that the Welsh language benefits every time decisions are made. It's also a chance to simplify decision-making and avoid treating the Welsh language in a superficial and tokenistic way."

"We anticipate that the Census results next week will raise questions about the state of the Welsh language in our communities. The Government has not shown  the leadership or vision over the past ten years since the 2001 Census figures highlighted a severe community challenge. This white paper shows the Government has a very narrow vision for the Welsh language; we cannot rely on it. During our tour of Wales and establishing the Cynghrair Cymunedau Cymraeg this year, we've seen that it is the desire of an increasing number of people in Wales is a country where we can all live our lives in Welsh. To this end, we have arranged a series of rallies calling people together with the message that communities need to act for themselves because we cannot depend on the Government."