Lead member
Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Labour, Life peer
Lords
Decision
Not moved
The amendment was not moved. The House was not invited to take a decision on it (though it may have been debated with other amendments).
Amendment text
After Clause 17
insert the following new Clause—
“Maintaining environmental standards
(1)
The relevant national authority may only make provision in relation to the regulations specified in subsection (4) if satisfied that the provision does not reduce the level of environmental protection arising from the retained EU law to which the provision relates.
(2)
In making regulations under this section the relevant national authority must have regard to the particular importance of—
(a)
furthering the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity,
(b)
improving water quality,
(c)
protecting people and the environment from hazardous chemicals.
(3)
Before making regulations under this section the relevant national authority must lay before the relevant Parliament or Assembly, and publish, a statement explaining why the relevant national authority is satisfied as mentioned in subsection (1).
(4)
The regulations are—
(a)
the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017,
(b)
the Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017,
(c)
the REACH Regulation (1907/2006),
(d)
the REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008, and
(e)
the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017.”
Member's explanatory statement
This amendment would ensure that the powers to amend these important pieces of retained EU environment law must not reduce the level of environmental protection provided by them. It would also specify that when exercising these powers, authorities must have regard to the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity, improvement of water quality and protection of people and the environment from hazardous chemicals.