02 Feb 2017

Two articles – one on Defra’s ‘business led’ approach to resource efficiency whilst at the same time signalling it will plays it’s part in negotiating EU proposals on the circular economy. Hmm … perhaps this is going to be like the business led approach to plastic bags …. and air quality. Terry A’Hearn SEPAs new […]

29 Jan 2017

Several generations of us have grown up knowing what good process looks like. A great success was the Defra work leading to the Marine & Coastal Access Act which was deliberate and clear from the outset through to the completion of the Act. The unfolding ‘process’ of the T3 MCZs is a rather strange, ‘soundings’ […]

03 Jan 2017

Defra has launched a consultation including marine stakeholders for the EU Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive (2014/52/EU) into national legislation.  This joint technical consultation makes changes to Defra’s EIA Regulations on Forestry, Agriculture, Water Resources, Land Drainage and Marine Works. As a marine stakeholder you may have an interest in the Marine Works (EIA) Regulations […]

03 Jan 2017

Two notes: Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland have launched a consultation today. We are seeking views on the UK’s proposed ban on the manufacture and sale of cosmetics and personal care products containing microbeads which may harm the marine environment. The […]

13 Dec 2016

Defra have launched a stakeholder consultation: We’d like your views on our proposed changes to the 2012 Fisheries Concordat.  The Fisheries Concordat sets out arrangements for licensing fishing vessels and allocating fish quota received through the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy. Our plans include changing when fishing vessel owners can move the management of vessels from […]

23 Nov 2016

‘Last week I reported the rather embarrassing discovery prompted by Friends of the Earth through a Freedom of Information request that little or no Defra money had been spent on Natural Flood Management (see below). Andrea Leadsom responding to an ex Defra minister – Richard Benyon – at Defra questions was able to report last […]

21 Nov 2016

MCS & TWT “The Government’s scientific advisors have provided proposals on where a final set of Marine Conservation Zones are needed around England. Leading marine conservation charities, the Marine Conservation Society and The Wildlife Trusts are excited about the plans, which are a positive step forward towards restoring our seas. The sites are being proposed […]