Deep sea mining

That this House is concerned about the potential environmental impact of deep sea mining; notes that the process involves retrieving mineral deposits from the deep seabed, despite research suggesting that it could destroy habitats and wipe out species; further notes that 700 science and policy experts from 44 countries have signed a statement calling for a pause to deep sea mining due to concerns over the irreversible loss of biodiversity and damage to ecosystems; joins the WWF in calling for a moratorium on deep sea mining activities until the environmental, social and economic risks are comprehensively understood; and calls on the UK Government to join the governments of France, Spain, Germany, and New Zealand in calling for either a ban or a moratorium to prevent this destructive industry from blighting our oceans.