Expert warns of ‘race to the bottom’

A Dundee professor has warned of a “race to the bottom” on the environment if Scottish and UK minsters fail to break the deadlock on Brexit.

Colin Reid, the professor of environmental law at Dundee University, said a “significant weakness” of the EU withdrawal bill is confusion over how policy will be developed under different domestic regimes.

In a submission to MSPs, he said Brexit raises the prospect of “divergence and fragmentation” in how the environment is protected.

Prof Reid, who sits on the Brexit and Environment Network, said: “It is essential both for the successful operation of the UK economy and market, and for the protection of the environment, to have coordinated and ambitious environmental standards across the UK.

“Brexit should not be seen as an opportunity for a race to the bottom within the UK.”

The withdrawal bill transfers all EU laws onto domestic statute books in the UK at the point of Brexit.

The SNP and Tory ministers disagree on whether powers should be held at Holyrood or Westminster in the aftermath.

The Tory Government says they should initially be kept at Westminster so UK-wide frameworks on regulations can be established in the Commons to protect the UK single market.

Scottish ministers want them in Holyrood with Britain’s parliaments and assemblies developing common frameworks in collaboration.

In a separate submission to Holyrood, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, which has been a vocal supporter of Brexit, criticised the withdrawal bill.

The SFF said the bill’s approach to “repatriating powers from the EU requires amendment if it is to respect the devolution settlement and deliver appropriate fisheries management”.

Prof Colin Reid fears for the environment.