Commonwealth countries rally behind ocean action Momentum continues to build for the Commonwealth’s flagship initiative on ocean issues – the Commonwealth Blue Charter – as countries step up collective efforts to save the seas. A gathering hosted by the New Zealand High Commission at the Royal Academy of Arts in London on Monday, heard widespread […]
Fisheries and Conservation Authorities: conduct and operation 2014 to 2018 Sets out the conduct and operation of ten Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) in England from 2014 to 2018. This report describes how IFCAs in England have worked in the four years to 31 August 2018. The report has been laid before Parliament by the Secretary […]
Government proposals to place the environment at the heart of new development have been unveiled by Environment Secretary Michael Gove. In plans published today (2 December 2018) for consultation, developers could be required to deliver a ‘biodiversity net gain’ when building new housing or commercial development – meaning habitats for wildlife must be enhanced and left in […]
Defra joins forces with Keep Britain Tidy to launch the ‘Keep it, Bin it’ campaign Shocking images are at the centre of a new campaign unveiled today (30 November) to crack down on littering in England. Launched by Environment Secretary Michael Gove in partnership with environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, and supported by some of the biggest […]
Environment Bill delayed until 2019 The Secretary of State for the Environment, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, admitted to a parliamentary committee that the only part of the Environment Bill that will be published this year will be the part concerning environmental principles and governance post Brexit, which government is legally obliged to publish by the end […]
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 […]