13 Sep 2016

The Environmental Audit Committee has questioned Ministers from the Department for Exiting the European Union and Defra on how the Government intends to approach the environment in its negotiations with the European Union after the EU Referendum result. Thérèse Coffey, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at Defra and Robin Walker, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Brexit Department […]

13 Sep 2016

Recently there have been three major flood – storm events in 2012, 2013-14 (SW coasts & Somerset), and 2015-2016 (Cumbria and the north of England). These have been characterised by a series of storms, following in close succession, covering different geographic locations but with quite devastating effects. In terms of costs and damages each of […]

05 Sep 2016

Defra ‘Government announces plans to ban microbeads in cosmetics and personal care products. Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom has today announced plans to ban the sale and manufacture of cosmetics and personal care products containing tiny pieces of plastic, commonly known as ‘microbeads’. Each year billions of tiny beads end up in our seas from a […]

17 Aug 2016

Chief Executive’s Blog – A place that is great for living in and sits responsibly within our world Terry Fuller CEO, CIWEM on a meeting with Defra  ‘Last week I said that I would provide an update on some of our policy and engagement activities. As you will appreciate there is much to do in […]

04 Aug 2016

Thérèse Coffey Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Environment and Rural Life Opportunities Responsibilities include: natural environment, including biodiversity, the marine environment, and international wildlife trafficking rural life opportunities, covering rural childcare, education and skills, and health floods, water and waterways air quality waste management More about this role George Eustace Minister of State […]

02 Aug 2016

Government, if it decides, can do great things. Let’s not forget the years it took them implement this simple measure. But there is still lots to do and perhaps the new Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey can pick up on a micro-beads ban soon. Defra:   Six billion fewer plastic bags taken home by shoppers in England […]

20 Jul 2016

July 21st Update. This was carried first in Marine News on Tuesday July 19th – the updates including Junior Ministers are in dark blue Andrea Leadsom has been made the SoS for the Environment and there are mixed views on her suitability for this.  Farm payments a major priority   In line with other May appointments […]

17 Jul 2016

This is the easy bit, huge challenges ahead with implications for many sectors (continue) Andrea Leadsom has been made the SoS for the Environment. Farm payments a major priority   In line with other May appointments as a leading Brexiter, Leadsom now has responsibility for devising a payment mechanism for farmers to replace EU subsidies! In […]