The Government has reassured high environmental standards will be maintained post Brexit.
The Brexit paper ‘Future customs arrangements: a future partnership paper’ details the Government’s aspirations for the UK’s future customs arrangements.
The Government says that as we leave the European Union, and therefore the EU Customs Union, it will seek a new customs arrangement that facilitates the most free and frictionless trade possible in goods between the UK and the EU, and allows the UK to “forge new trade relationships with its partners in Europe and around the world”.
As we leave the EU, the Government will continue to maintain our high standards for consumers, employees, the environment and animal welfare
On the environment, the paper states: “We will maintain our high level of standards and protect our public services. As we leave the EU, the Government will continue to maintain our high standards for consumers, employees, the environment and animal welfare…”
“It is one brief point among many but CIWM welcomes the Government’s explicit commitment to maintaining high environmental standards in the new Brexit position paper published yesterday (15 August),” commented chief executive Dr Colin Church.
“It is essential that our environmental standards are not sacrificed in the pursuit of future trade deals or economic growth at any cost. Every statement of intent given by the Government on this front helps to ensure that it can be held to account if actions don’t meet words.”
The reassurance follows recent comments from Environment Secretary Michael Gove, who pledged to deliver a “green Brexit”.
He said Brexit offers an “historic opportunity” to protect the environment into the future. He also said he intends to use the opportunity to “reshape British laws to make it a world leader in green policies”.