News • Good Food Trade Campaign
Fisheries and environment at risk from not-so-green Brexit
Friends of the Earth is warning of risks to fish and the environment from a not-so-green Brexit, following an analysis of likely scenarios by Sheffield University.
Friends of the Earth commissioned a report from Professor Charlotte Burns of Sheffield University, along with co-authors, to find out how what risks our environment faces, and if current plans for the future EU-UK relationship overcome these risks. Friends of the Earth concludes that the version of Brexit being proposed by the government and their main opposition party "put our environment in serious danger".
The analysis identifies that the protection of our birds, habitats, fisheries, air quality and water quality face a very uncertain future from a future trading deal with the EU without legal guarantees on environmental standards.
The report is unimpressed by the government’s recent 25-year environmental plan, stating that it is weaker than current EU safeguards in a number of places, and is woefully short on detail. Further, the report expresses concern that no strong, well-resourced watchdog to do the job of keeping the government on track.
Friends of the Earth concludes that, "Through forensic analysis this report has exposed the 'Green Brexit' rhetoric as mostly spin."
Support Friends of the Earth's call to put pressure on Michael Gove to improve this situation, via Twitter, at: https://twitter.com/friends_earth/status/984411656376737792/photo/1
Published Wednesday 18 April 2018
Good Food Trade Campaign: Campaigning for good trade that benefits people and the planet at home and overseas.