09 May 2017

If, as seems likely, the Conservatives win the General Election what is written in the manifesto will be of some significance. In 2015 pledges such as the 25-year plans appeared in the last Conservative manifesto. I’d be very interested to hear from you if get the chance to review the 2017 manifesto to see what […]

04 May 2017

CIWEM has published a briefing note on Brexit and the environment. It looks at the implications of the different exit scenarios for the environment, its management and regulation. It outlines key concerns and opportunities, notably associated with the loss of policy certainty and continuity. The briefing concludes the effects of Brexit “are likely to remain […]

04 May 2017

Bioresources & Water Resources trading – Ofwat consultation Ofwat has launched a consultation on the information needed to facilitate the launch of the new markets for bioresources and water resources trading. The regulator expects companies to publish information to enable potential market participants to identify opportunities to supply services in the treatment, transportation and disposal […]

04 May 2017

Angling trust reveal how EA Flood Defence contracts are destroying river habitats that other parts of the EA are trying to support wasting resources  Angling Trust: After a lengthy investigation, the Angling Trust has uncovered evidence of the destruction of habitat for fish and other wildlife by Environment Agency contractors carrying out flood defence works […]

02 May 2017

In response to the simple question Defra have confirmed last week that: ‘The UK has not withdrawn from the London Convention. We are aware of calls for us to do so. This will be an issue for the new Government to consider.’ So, I must apologise for the news item I ran some weeks ago […]

02 May 2017

The European Commission adopted yesterday the ‘Action plan for nature, people and the economy’ which followed the nature directives fitness-check. The Action plan aims to substantially improve the implementation of nature directives, working in close partnership with Member States and different stakeholder communities across the EU to deliver practical results on the ground by 2019. […]

02 May 2017

The Scotsman ‘A dry dock last used in 1994 will reopen after an agreement was signed today to use the site for the construction of the world’s largest floating wind farm. Kishorn dry dock, in the north-west of the Highlands, was last used during the construction of the Skye Bridge. It is one of the […]

02 May 2017

Perspective: MPAs & Brexit Jean-Luc Solandt, Bryce Stewart, and Alice Puritz Open Channels: Brexit may be the single biggest constitutional change that will happen to the UK in its history. The UK government and civil service are still coming to terms with the process of change, the complexity of developing new laws, and the new […]