Post-implementation Review of Environmental Law

Monday 27th March 2023 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Dr Thérèse Coffey)]

Today the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) is publishing a report, the post-implementation review of environmental law. This report highlights that over 40 post-implementation reviews of regulations required by statute have either not been undertaken or have not been published.

We are committed to delivering high standards for environmental protection and meeting the legal duties in this area. After prioritising resources to deliver a successful EU exit and supporting the country’s response during the pandemic, we recognise that we have not yet met all our obligations to deliver post-implementation reviews to time. My Department acknowledges this is unacceptable and is working to continually improve our mechanisms for capturing and delivering these requirements.

Steps are under way to address the post-implementation review backlog by the end of next year and prevent any further significant backlog occurring, including undertaking a Department-wide review, devising action plans with clear timescales for completion, accompanied by regular monitoring and reporting to the permanent secretary.

We will respond formally to the OEP report and will share our response with the lead Select Committees in each House.

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