Cunningham voices Brexit environment concerns

The legislation to formally remove the UK from the European Union risks undermining environmental progress in the devolved nations, Scottish and Welsh ministers have warned.

The governments have raised concerns the EU Withdrawal Bill will damage efforts to protect the environment, including tougher emissions reduction targets in Scotland. Scottish Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham and her Welsh counterpart Lesley Griffiths meet in Cardiff today.

Ms Cunningham highlighted that around 80 per cent of Scottish environmental law, including areas like waste management, pollution and flooding, originated in the EU.

She said: “My message has been clear and consistent – the Scottish Government will steadfastly adhere to its environmental commitments, despite the growing threat of a hard Brexit. That is why we are joining with our Welsh counterparts to urge the UK government to ditch this ill-conceived power grab. Imposing a Uk-wide framework for the environment risks undermining the significant progress Scotland has made, which has seen us win international recognition for our work on climate change and the circular economy.”