Two articles illustrating the challenges of Brexit to environmental regulations

Defra recruiting 1,400 policy wonks to pick up the pieces after Brexit

The Register ‘Exclusive Defra – the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs – is hiring 1,400 “business policy” folk so it can untangle itself from Europe after Brexit, according to multiple insiders. Of those, 300 will be looking at the tech/policy side of things, including decoupling systems from decades of European legislation. The rest will be focused on policy, management and process overhead, said one insider.

A Defra spokesperson said: “Over 80 per cent of Defra’s agenda is affected by the vote to leave the European Union. As a result, many roles across the Defra group are supporting EU exit-related work, either directly or indirectly. We continue to keep our recruitment plans under review.”

Earlier this year, the Public Accounts Committee said Brexit could further exacerbate the woeful IT track record of farmers receiving rural payments from the UK government. Click here to read more

Environmental law undermined by Brexit ‘power grab’, warn Scottish & Welsh Ministers

Holyrood ‘Scotland’s Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham will visited Cardiff to discuss Brexit with her Welsh counterpart Lesley Griffiths. They will express concerns that the UK Government’s repatriation of powers from the EU will damage efforts to protect and enhance the environment.

Around 80 per cent of current Scots environmental law originated at EU level, and the Scottish Government fears the UK’s great repeal bill will mean the powers will be taken to Westminster.

UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove has said he wants a “green Brexit” but Cunningham warned a UK-wide network could undermine Scotland’s targets.

“Imposing a UK-wide framework for the environment risks undermining the significant progress Scotland has made, which has seen us win international recognition for our work on climate change and the circular economy,” she said.

“We are not opposed in principle to UK-wide frameworks in certain areas but this must be through agreement  – not imposition.

“Protecting devolution will allow us  to drive forward our ambitious work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance environmental standards and create a cleaner, greener Scotland for everyone.”

Speaking ahead of today’s summit, Griffiths said the Welsh Government shared the concerns.

“Our approach has not been about trading off agriculture and the environment, it’s about both,” she said.

“You can’t have one without the other. The Bill as it stands has the potential to seriously impact on this approach by locking us into an outdated framework while also removing our ability to bring forward reforms.

“This is why, like Scotland, we want EU powers in devolved areas to come straight to Wales. Welcoming my Scottish counterpart to Wales today will allow us to continue to work together to develop a strong future which benefits everyone.” To read more click here