Rural and Environment

Commitment to environmental principles

November 6, 2017 by No Comments | Category Environment, EU

This week’s EU Environmental Bureau conference was an opportunity to make clear that the four EU principles of precaution, prevention, pollution at source and ‘polluter pays’, which means that those who cause pollution should be responsible for paying the costs of managing it, are essential to maintaining Scotland’s environmental achievements.

At a meeting with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs I also called on the UK Government to clarify its commitment to EU environmental principles and asked for assurances on matters core to the EU negotiations that are critical to protecting Scotland’s environmental ambition.

I am deeply concerned that the UK Government’s approach to Brexit will see the UK pull back from its global environmental obligations. This would risk us lagging behind our European allies and potentially undermine our ability to meet our international ambitions. I will be asking UK Ministers for much greater clarity on their intended approach.

UK Ministers need to understand that current single market arrangements and the EU principles of tackling pollution and taking precautionary and preventative measures, underpin the significant progress that Scotland is making in driving a circular economy and delivering in areas like air and water quality.

The Scottish Government will steadfastly adhere to its environmental commitments, despite the growing threat of a hard Brexit.

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