Brexit requires a 4-nation approach to UK environment, farming and fisheries

Environment, agriculture and fisheries policy are especially significant in terms of EU-derived policies and powers in relation to the Devolved Administrations, together making up “41 of the 153 areas in which powers returning from the EU are devolved”.

Further, “Of the 24 areas which the UK Government believes will need some form of legislative framework, 19 relate to these policy areas.” The Institute for Government comments extensively on committees, processes, institutions and distribution of funding to enable four-nation agreement. The Institute recommends that:

• The promised new environmental watchdog should have a four-nation remit and would be more robust if it reports to, and is co-funded by, the four legislatures.
• Other public bodies established to replace the functions carried out by EU agencies in these policy areas should be UK-wide where possible, to pool expertise, be more cost efficient, and reduce compliance costs for business – co-designed by the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations, and with increased capacity to deal with increased workload and four-nation responsibilities. Examples cited include those replacing functions of the European Food Safety Authority, the European Chemicals Agency and the European Environment Agency (noting that the UK’s relationship with these is still subject to negotiation).
• The Joint Ministerial Committee should be updated to deal with Brexit-related governance, with meaningful opportunities for civil society and industry to make a positive contribution.

Read the Institute for Government's Brexit and Devolution:Managing the environment, agriculture and fisheries