environment

EU PLAN TO HALVE PESTICIDE USE WITHDRAWN IN FACE OF FARMERS OPPOSITION

EU PLAN TO HALVE PESTICIDE USE WITHDRAWN IN FACE OF FARMERS OPPOSITION

On 6 February 2024, in the face of strong opposition from farmers in the EU and their trade bodies such as COPA COGECA, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the abandonment of the proposed Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products Regulation, which contained the Commission’s aim to halve pesticide use. This had been an important part of the Commission’s ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy and its Green Deal. 

UNLIMITED FINANCIAL PENALTIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION CASES

UNLIMITED FINANCIAL PENALTIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION CASES

On 11 December 2023, the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Steve Barclay announced changes to the Variable Monetary Penalties that the Environment Agency can impose. This means that companies in breach of Environmental Permits in key areas could be subject to unlimited financial penalties, replacing the earlier cap of £250,000.