Warning that green Brexit has yet to be delivered

THE “GREEN Brexit” promised by the Government has not been delivered, with weaker protections in areas such as nature and air quality, campaigners have warned.

But there is still a chance to enhance environmental protections, the Greener UK coalition said as it issued its final “report card” in assessments on Brexit.

Greener UK has been tracking progress on the pledge, outlined by then-Environment Secretary Michael Gove in 2017, to deliver a green Brexit, and the Government’s promises to enhance environmental protections.

Its analysis finds protections on climate, farming, fisheries and water quality are similar to 2016, but are weaker than they were for chemicals, nature, air quality and waste.

Greener UK said there was still time for plans to be strengthened, including via the much-delayed Environment Bill and farming reforms which are being finalised.

The coalition, which includes The Wildlife Trusts, RSPB and the environmental law charity ClientEarth, warned new bodies enforcing rules on air pollution and water quality are set to be less independent and weaker than under the EU system.

The Government’s desire to retain the option to diverge from EU rules has undermined co-operation and raised the risk of deregulation in areas such as chemicals, which could put the environment at risk, the groups said.

But the campaigners said there are positives from Brexit, including the Government’s ambition to transform farming policy by replacing the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy with a system that pays land managers for providing public goods such as flood protection and habitat for nature.

The Government was approached for a comment.