Green campaigners warn £21bn of damage to waters looms from European Union law sunsetting Bill

Ripping up retained EU laws covering water pollution, chemical regulation, air quality and habitats could cost the UK £83bn over 30 years, according to analysis for Wildlife and Countryside Link (WCL) by the Economics for the Environment Consultancy.

The analysis attached a £21bn loss to from damage to rivers, lakes and coastal waters as a result of losing Water Framework Directive standards. WCL argued that without this standard, increased levels of agricultural pollutants and insufficiently treated wastewater could flow into rivers, leading to deterioration in already struggling waters and harm to threatened wildlife.

A further £45bn cost was attributed to less air quality improvement, £16bn to weaker chemicals regulations and £1bn to weaker protection of designated areas. The figures include environmental damage, health impacts and business opportunities lost.

The research was published as the Retained EU Law Bill was read in the House of Commons last week. Campaigners are calling for the Bill to be immediately withdrawn. WCL pointed out that “the proposals specifically prohibit new regulations that could impose costs on businesses – even administrative costs. They say this is a deregulatory lock-in clause, which means that the Bill cannot strengthen environmental law, but gives Ministers unprecedented freedom to weaken it”.

Chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, Dr Richard Benwell, said: “The costs of this economic and environmental wrecking ball bill could be astronomical at a time when the UK – and our environment – can least afford it.”