Green groups slam government's “attack on nature” for European law revocation and growth plans

Green groups have mobilised rapidly and angrily against emerging government policy that the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has called “a full-on attack on the laws that protect nature”.

• On Thursday, business secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg, introduced the Retained European Union (EU) Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill. He said: “The Bill will sunset the majority of retained EU law so that it expires on 31st December 2023…Before that date, government departments and the devolved administrations will determine which retained EU law can be reformed to benefit the UK, which can expire, and which needs to be preserved and incorporated into domestic law in modified form.”

The RSPB tweeted that could “see the end of basic protections known as the Habitat Regulations. Laws that protect our birds and animals, everywhere from forests to our coasts”.

The Scottish government’s constitution secretary, Angus Robertson, immediately wrote to Rees-Mogg expressing his concerns over the risk to environment, food and animal welfare standards that the sunset clause poses to over 2,400 pieces of EU legislation that were included in the UK statute book at the end of the Brexit transition period. He called for the Bill to be reconsidered.

• On Friday, chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s ‘mini-Budget’ and Growth Plan included the idea of ‘Investment Zones’ where liberalised planning rules will apply to facilitate housing and commercial development. In some instances, these map onto habitats with special legal protection.

The RSPB said: “This government has today launched an attack on nature. We don’t use the words that follow lightly. We are entering uncharted territory… What the Government has proposed in today’s mini-budget on top of yesterday’s announcements potentially tears up the most fundamental legal protections our remaining wildlife has.” It said it was planning a “mass mobilisation” in opposition.

• Over the weekend, there have been reports that the government is considering scrapping plans for Environmental Land Management Schemes, which will pay farmers for delivering environmental and public goods and services.

Director general of the National Trust, Hilary McGrady, said: "Rather than ramp up action to support our environment, this Government appears however to be heading in the opposite direction. Environmental protections are dismissed as 'burdens', whilst investment and growth are pitted against nature and climate action…The new Investment Zones represent a free-for-all for nature and heritage, yet we know that green spaces and beauty are vital to attract investment and for a good quality of life.

"Likewise a rumoured return to EU-style land subsidies will squander one of the biggest Brexit opportunities for nature, fatally undermining improvements to the nature, soil and water upon which sustainable food production depends.”

Defra said on Twitter: “We have a plan for economic growth. It is not true to claim we are attacking nature nor going back on our commitments. We have legislated through the Environment Act and will continue to improve our regulations and wildlife laws in line with our ambitious vision.”