Key Facts

• George Monbiot discusses the unregulated release of game birds which has significant ecological impacts.
• The widespread use of lead shot is described as unacceptable in the 21st century due to its environmental impact.
• Phytosanitary issues are highlighted, with ash dieback alone costing an estimated £15 billion.
• The live plant trade has an annual value of £300 million.
• The “State of Nature” report found that 44% of species in the UK are in long-term decline.
• 15% of species in the UK are at risk of extinction.
• Local nature recovery strategies have the potential to align development planning and environmental spending more effectively.
• The Environment Bill aims to improve biodiversity and habitat quality.
• Proposed targets include species abundance, habitat extent, air quality measures (SOx, NOx), and water quality indicators.
• There is a suggestion to add a duty for restoration and re-establishment of damaged or missing habitats and ecosystems.
• Exemptions in the Environment Bill's principles policy statement are seen as wide-ranging.
• Ministry of Defence land includes areas of important biodiversity.
• Clause 18 exempts national security activities, defence or national security, and Q for taxation, spending or resource allocation within Government.
• The current duty is only to have regard to local nature recovery strategies without any obligation to use them.
• Businesses should be regulated to back up voluntary commitments made since 2010 regarding supply chain deforestation risks.
• Metrics such as embedded water and carbon, palm oil, beef, soya, cocoa are mentioned in the context of reducing environmental footprint.
• The statement focuses on the Environment Bill and its framework for environmental improvement.
• Dr Benwell highlights concerns about the current significant improvement test being too loose and subjective.
• He proposes cross-departmental environmental improvement plans with binding interim targets to ensure action across different government departments.
• The session is scheduled until 3:15 pm.
• Richard McIlwain is deputy chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, focusing on litter, resource consumption, and sustainable living.
• Libby Peake is head of resource policy at Green Alliance, a charity and think-tank for environmental leadership.
• The EU has published a circular economy action plan which sets ambitious targets.
• Wales recycles above 70% household waste compared to the UK's current rate around 45%.
• A deposit return scheme is proposed as an incentive for recycling, aiming for implementation by 2023.
• There are six people wanting to use up the remaining 14 minutes.
• George Howarth notes it is highly unlikely he will get all six in due to limited time.
• George Howarth is moderating questions for witnesses regarding the Environment Bill.
• Richard McIlwain discusses breaking down council tax to show waste disposal costs.
• There are approximately one million fly-tipping incidents annually in the UK.
• Schedule 19 of the Environment Bill allows the Secretary of State to change REACH regulations.
• There are no specific requirements for consultation with stakeholders or making responses public.
• CHEM Trust, Chemical Industries Association, and Unite raise concerns over lack of clarity on the process behind UK REACH implementation.
• 50% of chemical trade goes from the UK to the European Union.
• 75% of chemical trade comes into the UK from the European Union.
• Perfluorinated chemicals are a topic for regulation in both the EU and the UK.
• ECHA has over 600 staff working on chemical regulations.
• The UK will start with an empty database requiring industry submissions.
• Current complaints from industry about new costs associated with data submission.
• Many councils do no testing at all on chemicals safety laws enforcement.
• Concerns over the lack of targets and timelines for chemical assessment in the Bill.
• The session is part of the Public Bill Committee examination of witnesses.
• Alan Whitehead questions the consistency and applicability of the Environment Bill to all parts of the UK, especially Scotland.
• George Howarth asks for self-introductions from the witnesses due to his oversight.
• Scotland has launched its own environmental strategy.
• There are discussions about how EU environmental principles will operate coherently across different parts of the UK.
• The SNP Government aims to retain or exceed EU environmental standards post-Brexit.
• Environmental protection and air quality management zones in Scotland include 38 air quality management areas and four low emission zones.
• Environmental NGOs support broadening the definition of environmental law to include policies with environmental impacts.
• There are concerns about arbitrary exemptions, particularly for military activities.
• Opportunities exist to improve performance through varying standards but also risks of 'environmental regulatory tourism'.
• OEP (Office for Environmental Protection) has a role in advising Ministers on matters that may have cross-boundary effects.
• There is uncertainty regarding how environmental principles will apply across reserved functions of UK Ministers in Scotland.
• REACH regulations are discussed as an area requiring collaboration between devolved Administrations.
• The Bill requires the Secretary of State to set a biodiversity target but it is unclear if this applies to England or the UK as a whole.
• Marine legislation was passed separately by each Government (2009, 2010, 2013) but aligned with high-level objectives agreed upon beforehand.
• The Scottish Government and UK agencies like DEFRA are in continuous conversation regarding air quality issues.
• Cabinet Office published a list of areas where EU law intersects with devolved powers in 2017.
• Revised list highlights 21 remaining areas requiring legislative common frameworks, seven of which relate to environmental matters.
• Scottish Government will establish a body similar to the OEP; detail to be published later this month.
• Public bodies should have mechanisms to raise concerns with central Government.
• Citizens must have a mechanism to raise concerns with the OEP and other environmental protection bodies in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
• The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) needs the ability to work together with Scottish and Welsh bodies on joint investigations if necessary.
• The Environment Agency works with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
• Policy areas such as noise policy are influenced by the World Health Organisation.
• Accountability to MSPs and the Scottish Parliament is necessary under devolution.