Watch the EFRA Committee video He who pays the piper …. Unearthed – Greenpeace ‘The frank interview by Natural England’s outgoing chair comes as the government considers proposals for a new post-Brexit environmental regulator England’s conservation advisor is no longer independent from government, its outgoing chair told MPs on Wednesday. The admission comes as Theresa […]
The considerable uncertainties of Brexit surfaced with a vengeance last week. At least Michael Gove decided to stay at Defra. He has been the only Conservative Environment Minister who has understood environment and under his direction a considerable amount of work has been done. Given the light weight non entities that preceded him his loss […]
Defra 388 top-rated beaches after scorching summer boosts visitors to seaside Beaches around the country achieved top water quality standards this year as millions flocked to the coast to enjoy the record-breaking hot weather. 97.9% of bathing waters passed tough standards following a programme of water quality testing at 420 bathing spots carried out by […]
Bob Earll Once upon a time this type of document would have been launched with huge fanfare, but in a Government mired in Brexit it has popped out almost as an afterthought. It is has been written with the Brexit mantras much in evidence ‘taking back control’ etc. It is astonishingly brief – thin on […]
By Michael Gove, Secretary of State “Some of my earliest memories are of joining my dad at the fish merchant’s business he ran in Aberdeen. It was set up by my grandfather, and generations of my family before him had made their living from the sea. But in recent decades our fishing industry has been in decline […]
Defra ‘As part of the government’s ongoing drive to clean up our seas, new proposals launched today will cut red tape and make it easier for divers to remove litter from the seabed. Until now, a marine licence may be required for divers who retrieve litter or abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear – known […]
The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee has accused Ministers of “dragging their feet” on action to protect people from heatwaves and is calling on the Government to do more. The Committee was commenting on the Government’s response to its report – Heatwaves: adapting to climate change – published in July warning that there will be 7,000 […]
The fisheries Bill was published on the 25th October (see below); early reactions include: NFFO statement SFF statement MCS Comments RSPB Comments Defra: ‘The Bill creates powers to build a sustainable, profitable UK fishing industry and deliver a Green Brexit with new protections for our precious marine environment. Legislation creating the powers the UK needs […]