Marine protection

MPs have urged the Government to ban damaging activities such as bottom trawling in certain protected areas of England’s waters, in a report published today.

Parliament’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee today launches a new inquiry on the circular economy and issues a call for evidence on issues around the Global Plastics Treaty.

The Chair of the cross-party Environmental Audit Committee has commented on the Government’s response to the Office for Environmental Protection’s review of the duty to have due regard to the Environmental Principles Policy Statement (EPPS).

Jenny Jones, Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb, one of two Green members of the Lords, joins the Lord Speaker. Listen now

Government ministers will answer questions from the Environmental Audit Committee on how the UK uses its seas and oceans amid rising demand from industries spanning activities from renewable energy to fishing, and Government commitments to designate 30% of the UK’s waters as protected areas by 2030.

The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner MP, will appear before the EFRA Select Committee, to face MPs’ questions on their thematic inquiries on the future of farming, fairness in the food supply chain, and fisheries and the marine environment.

At a time of heightened speculation regarding the Government’s commitment to nature and the environment, the Environment Secretary will next week face the Environmental Audit Committee.

Railway operators, national youth strategy, the display and retention of human body parts and biodiversity in the spotlight. Catch up

The EFRA Committee today publishes a document which details its strategic principles and the policy priorities that will underpin its work over the course of this Parliament.

Government Response: Net zero and UK shipping

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee is today launching the next of its thematic inquiries, on fisheries and the marine environment.

Reacting to the OEP’s latest progress report, Environmental Audit Committee Chair, Toby Perkins MP, said:

British scientists and researchers have been active in Antarctica for over a century: but what is their role in the region, and how is their work deepening our knowledge of climate change?