Defra denies failing to ‘fully engage’ devolveds on environmental watchdog plans

“We are ready to co-operate with the UK Government and other devolved administrations, both to ensure continuity of EU law and to seek to agree common approaches across the four administrations in the UK where this is in the best interests of Scotland’s environment and people.”

Ms Cunningham went on to say she had ‘not yet concluded’ what the best approach to environmental governance in Scotland after Brexit would be, but she did not rule out the creation of a new function for an existing body, or a new statutory body to deliver independent scrutiny.

A consultation on the Scottish proposals will be held later this year.

Disappointed

In Wales, Rural Affairs Secretary Lesley Griffiths issued a similar statement, saying she was ‘disappointed to not be fully engaged’ on the matter given Wales’ track record of developing environmental legislation.

But a Defra spokesman told Farmers Guardian UK Ministers and officials had met their counterparts in Scotland and Wales six times over the past four months.

“Our consultation on a new Environmental Principles and Governance Bill was developed following extensive collaboration with all UK administrations”, the spokesman said.

“We will continue to work with them to design a policy to protect and enhance our precious environment.”