Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish a list of the members of the independent expert groups on Environment Bill air quality, water, biodiversity and waste and resources targets.

The Government is committed to setting targets through a robust, evidence-led process that seeks independent expert advice, provides a role for stakeholders and the public, as well as scrutiny from Parliament. We are working with stakeholders and will keep them appraised of the work of the independent experts as proposed targets develop.

We have recently set up groups of independent experts, where they did not already exist for the priority areas set out in the Bill, to provide impartial advice on the analytical methods and evidence base being used to develop targets. We plan to publish the full list of independent experts, along with high level details of their work, such as terms of references and information on meetings in due course. Defra’s Science Advisory Committee and Economic Advisory Panel also play a part in advising on the target-setting process.

The Government is in regular discussion with its independent expert groups, and some independent expert groups have met with stakeholders.