The risk of Brexit to the Habitats and Species Directive have been highlighted since it is in a particularly exposed, risky legislative position. This review which will consider the Government’s policy and manifesto commitment and will prompt MPs to seek clarification over Brexit and MPAs in particular our SPAs and SACs.

‘The Environmental Audit Committee is calling for evidence on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the UK and the Overseas Territories. This follows on from the previous Committee’s reports into “Marine Protected Areas” and “Sustainability in the UK Overseas Territories”.

Inquiry: Marine Protected Areas Revisited

The Conservative Party’s 2015 manifesto pledged that it deliver a “Blue Belt” of MPAs around the coasts of the UK and its Overseas Territories. These include Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), Nature Conservation MPAs, Special Protection Areas and those designated under EU law as Special Areas of Conservation.

At the time of the Committee’s previous report, 27 MCZs had been created. The second tranche, a further 23 MCZs, were launched in January 2016. The third tranche of zones are planned for consideration in 2017 and implemented in 2018.

The 2015 Manifesto also committed to creating MPAs around the UK’s 14 Overseas Territories. So far, MPAs have been announced around the Pitcairn Islands in September 2015 and around Ascension Island in January 2016.

The Committee will examine the Government’s current progress so far on implementing MPAs and ask what more it needs to do to meet its manifesto commitment. It will follow-up on the recommendations made in its previous reports and it will undertake post-legislative scrutiny of the Marine and Costal Access Act 2009.

The Committee is calling for written evidence on some or all of the following points. Submission should be no longer than 3,000 words and should made through the online portal no later than 5pm on Friday 7 October 2016.’