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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of seeking to continue to remain subject to the EU Water Framework Directive.

The Prime Minister announced last year our plans for a Repeal Bill that will convert current EU law into domestic British law. Our intention is to ensure a smooth and orderly transition via the Repeal Bill. Without pre-judging what our future relationship with the EU will be or future decisions Parliament may make, this will provide as much certainty as possible by maintaining the existing laws; and this will include the laws that transpose the EU Water Framework Directive.

Withdrawal from the EU will allow us to select policies that work best for the UK, including policy on sustainable water planning and management aiming to maximise the benefits that people, wildlife and the economy get from our water environment.

Going forward, the 25 year environment plan framework will give us a basis on which to plan our policies and regulatory framework for the future. We will consider what aspects of our current legislative framework are fit for purpose to deliver the 25 year environment plan framework and shape our legislation accordingly.