11 May 2019
The Environmental Audit Committee published its sustainable seas report in January calling for action by Government to end the use of seas as a sewer, and criticising its ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach. Recommendations focused on tackling threats to marine life from climate change, overfishing and pollution – especially the risk of long-term […]
06 May 2019
Systems Thinking in Government: Defra Launches Systems Research Programme Ian Boyd Defra – ‘This programme breaks new ground by taking a “systems-thinking” approach to understanding the key policy questions across the Defra group. Defra manages different systems such as the food, water, waste, land use or marine. These systems involve many components which interact in defined […]
30 Apr 2019
The publicity and profile of this consultation is being raised as it nears its closing date. Have your say. Defra ‘Your responses to this consultation will help us to consider the merits of introducing a DRS. The aim of the UK and Welsh Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern […]
09 Apr 2019
A Defra consultation at the end of last year has concluded that I-VMS will be introduced for all owners or operators of licensed British fishing boats under 12 m in length operating in English waters. The stated policy objective was to gain better information on where all such vessels are fishing, align the requirement for VMS across the whole fleet […]
02 Apr 2019
Following Michael Gove’s recent appearance before the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee, it seems Defra is to assess its arms-length agencies after Brexit in a move that could see the Environment Agency merged with Natural England. Environment secretary Michael Gove said that Defra’s director general for strategy delivery Shaun Gallagher would lead the review. […]
27 Mar 2019
Michael Gove & Therese Coffey appeared before the Environment Audit Committee and their responses covered the new Environment Bill and also plans in the event of a Brexit no-deal. No surprises that in Gove’s own words these plans are ‘suboptimal’. Civil Service World ‘Environment secretary Michael Gove has admitted that the arrangements in place for […]
26 Mar 2019
Questioning goes to the heart of the provisions in the Bill on audit and the principles at the heart of sustainability and environmental management. EAC ‘The Environmental Audit Committee examines the proposed Office for Environmental Protection, the environmental principles, Environmental Improvement Plans, collaboration with the devolved administrations and no-deal preparations. Witnesses Wednesday 20 March 2019, […]
17 Mar 2019
Defra ‘Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Michael Gove, has reappointed Emma Howard Boyd as Chair of the Environment Agency. In confirming the reappointment, Secretary of State Michael Gove said: I am grateful for Emma’s strong leadership and achievements over her first term. She has played a crucial part in the Environment […]
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