After holding consultations with professionals from the field on the Draft Environment Bill, the House of Lords (EU Energy and Environment Committee) sent a pressing letter to Environment Minister Gove.
The Committee urged the government to strengthen the Bill, which they argue risks negatively impacting environmental standards post-Brexit. Among issues mentioned are again the independence of the OEP, and the exclusion of policy areas such as forestry, flooding and climate change in its remit.
The lack of preparedness for a no-deal Brexit was also underlined. The signatories suggested that until the OEP enters into force, other bodies should receive temporary enforcement functions and be given additional resources and sufficient independence to carry the tasks.
The House of Lords insisted that the UK cannot afford to lose the high environmental standards created as an EU member, and stands ready to press the government to keep its word on non-regression.
Post by Lord Robin Teverson in Green Alliance