Gove promises ‘Green Brexit’ in WWF speech

MICHAEL Gove promised to deliver a “green Brexit”, which sets global gold standards on policies ranging from pesticides to wildlife protection and animal welfare.

Leaving the European Union provides a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to reform farming, fisheries and land management, the Environment Secretary said, in his first keynote speech since replacing fellow Brexiteer Andrea Leadsom after the General Election.

Speaking at WWF’s Living Planet Centre in Woking, Mr Gove told an audience of environmental and countryside organisations that Brexit gives scope for Britain to be a global leader in green policy.

Many of the laws on the environment currently come from Brussels, from agricultural policy and farming subsidies, to air pollution limits, bathing water quality, wildlife protection and climate action such as energy efficiency standards.

Environmentalists have raised fears over the fate of EU regulation, amid calls in some quarters to cut “red tape” on everything from energy efficiency to protecting habitats.

They have warned that process of transferring rules to UK law must not weaken them, but Mr Gove moved to reassure them Brexit will be a force for good.

“Leaving the EU gives us opportunity to reform how we manage agriculture and fisheries, how we care for our land, our rivers and our seas, how we recast our ambition for our environment, and the planet. In short, it means delivering a green Brexit.”

Mr Gove acknowledged the damage done to the UK and global environment in the past and said that a “Government of global Britain” should not just lead on security or trade but also champion sustainable development, be a leader in environmental science and an innovator in clean, green growth.