Three articles – two new Dickon Howell’s blog and the link to the important IEEP report which set out the implications of departing the EU
1.IEEP: The potential policy and environmental consequences for the UK of a departure from the European Union
In their report this March, The potential policy and environmental consequences for the UK of a departure from the European Union, the IEEP has outlined this and other effects of Brexit, including potentially a departure from the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, should the UK not opt for a final settlement within the European Economic Area. This could potentially greatly complicate implementation of EU policy, as the UK’s territorial waters would sit amongst those of many EU member states, yet not be subject to the same rules and regulations.
2.Dickon Howell Blogs
If you’re interested here are a couple of my blog posts about Brexit. The point I would make is that, unlike Steve, my view, is that we should focus on the policy objectives from which legislation such as the Habitats Directive derives, decide whether we still agree with that objective or not, and then start thinking about how we deliver it nationally. Although I personally do not agree with it at all, Brexit doesn’t mean we are suddenly throwing 40 years of policy making out the window.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/marine-brexit-dickon-howell
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/marine-brexit-pt-2-its-all-funding-dickon-howell
ABPmer: Steve Hull 07/07/16 ‘The decision by the UK to leave the EU has important implications for the future management of our seas and marine environment. It is fair to say that the opinion on implications of Brexit for the environment is varied with Environment Minister Georg Eustice MP suggesting that Brexit would free the UK from “spirit-crushing” green directives to Craig Bennett, CEO of Friends of the Earth, feeling “desperately sad” and issuing a red alert for the environment.
So what are the risks and opportunities that Brexit might pose for the marine environment? And how can we ensure that we continue to make progress towards the UK’s vision of ‘clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas’?
Stephen Hull, Technical Director at ABPmer, is a recognised authority on marine planning, marine conservation and marine policy has prepared a paper which explores some of the potential issues and challenges Brexit may bring and gives a personal view on the opportunities’
Download White Paper: ‘Brexit – Implications for the Future of the UK’s Marine Environment’
Bathing Waters Directive & Birds & Habitats Directives most at risk. CFP would not apply
Steve Hull ‘If the UK negotiates membership of the European Economic Area (EEA) and thus remains part of the Single Market (Inside Single Market option), such membership would require that the UK continues to comply with the great majority of environmental legislation as set out in Annex XX to the EEA Agreement. Two important exceptions to this would be the Bathing Waters Directive and Birds and Habitats Directives. Nor would the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) continue to apply. Under circumstances where there was no special bilateral agreement with the EU and no preferential access to the Single Market (Outside Single Market option), EU environmental laws would no longer apply. However, UK companies wishing to export into the EU would continue to need to comply with requirements of that market (including environmental requirements).’
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