William Wilson, Barrister-Director at Wyeside Consulting Ltd, has submitted evidence to the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee and Environmental Audit Committee Joint Inquiry on the Draft Clauses on Environmental Principles and Governance.

On 19 December 2018 the government published draft Clauses on Environmental Principles and Governance. These are supposed to address the arrangements for the effective enforcement of environmental laws in England after Brexit, when enforcement by the European Commission and the Court of Justice of the European Union will no longer be available.

Publication of the clauses followed a lengthy consultation which yielded an unprecedented 176,746 responses. The clauses, published as a draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill are intended to be part of a wider Environment Bill to be introduced in 2019, covering air quality, protection and enhancement of landscapes, wildlife and habitats, more efficient handling of resources and waste and better management of surface, ground and waste water.

William Wilson’s evidence covered -

Inadequacies in enforcement of existing environmental laws;

What UK environmental law loses by Brexit;

European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018;

What was promised in the consultation on these Clauses;

Key features of the Clauses as published, and amendments required;

The Committees’ questions, and short responses.

For further information, or to receive a copy of the evidence, please contact William Wilson, Barrister-Director, info@wyesideconsulting.com

1 January 2019