Environment Archives

Research Briefing

Live Animal Exports

Tuesday, 03 September, 2019

Live animals are exported to EU countries from the UK for breeding, fattening, and slaughter. EU rules to protect the welfare of live animals during transport and related operations were agreed in 2004, and implemented in the UK in 2007. However, there are a number of ongoing campaigns calling for a ban on live exports for slaughter, on welfare grounds. Brexit has prompted renewed calls for such a ban. There are also concerns amongst farmers about the impact of Brexit on their ability to export live animals, including between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Research Briefing

No deal Brexit: What happens to farm payments?

Tuesday, 13 August, 2019

UK farmers receive around €4 billion per year under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Under any Brexit scenario, the UK will leave the CAP when it leaves the EU. A new policy framework and legislative basis will be needed. Work is in progress to develop this: the four UK nations are developing their own plans for farm support and an Agriculture Bill is currently awaiting further consideration in the Commons. But what happens to farm payments in the event of a no deal Brexit? This briefing sets out the Government's plans to continue to pay farmers after exit day and the legal measures to enable this to happen.
Research Briefing

Brexit: parliamentary scrutiny of UK replacement treaties

Wednesday, 17 July, 2019

The UK is party to hundreds of international treaties with third states or organisations, many of them on trade, by virtue of its EU membership. To continue to benefit from the advantages of these agreements, the Government has been seeking to replace them in a UK bilateral context. The Government has prioritised trade agreements, but has also agreed replacement agreements covering aviation services and safety, and road transport, for example. But Parliament is not happy about the way the Government is carrying out this 'treaty continuity programme' and Committees in both Houses have called for a greater scrutiny role for Parliament in treaty-making processes. This paper looks at what has been going on and what Parliamentary Committees in both Houses have asked for. It includes a table showing where we are with scrutiny of these treaties and what sort of scrutiny they have undergone, both in their precursor form as EU treaties and currently as replacement treaties.
Research Briefing

UK Carbon Budgets

Tuesday, 09 July, 2019

A House of Commons Library Briefing Paper on the UK Carbon Budgets, including information on the Climate Change Act 2008, the Committee on Climate Change's proposals for the fifth carbon budget, the Government's Clean Growth Strategy and progress against carbon budgets. Information on the Paris Agreement and possible impact of Brexit is also included.
- Research Briefing
- Climate change
Research Briefing

The Wild Animals in Circuses (No 2) Bill

Monday, 08 July, 2019

There has been a long running campaign to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses. The Wild Animals in Circuses (No2) Bill will introduce a ban in England. A ban already exists in Scotland and there are proposals for a ban in Wales.
- Research Briefing
- Animals
Research Briefing

The UK’s EU Withdrawal Agreement

Monday, 08 July, 2019

This briefing looks in detail at the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated between the EU and UK and finalised on 14 November 2018. It was endorsed by EU Member State leaders at a special European Council summit on 25 November and the UK Prime Minister promoted it in the UK Parliament and around the country. The Agreement was debated at length in Parliament on several occasions and has been voted on three times. But the House of Commons has not endorsed it. A second extension of Article 50 took exit day to 31 October 2019, but once again the UK is faced with the possibility of leaving the EU without an agreement if this agreement or another one is not ratified by the UK and the EU.
Research Briefing

Animal Sentience and Brexit

Monday, 08 July, 2019

The Government is reviewing the recognition of animal sentience and the need for UK legislation after Brexit. It has also announced it will legislate to increase the maximum sentence for animal cruelty offences.
Debate Pack

General debate on tackling climate change, protecting the environment and securing global development

Monday, 08 July, 2019

There is a general debate on tackling climate change, protecting the environment, and securing global development on Wednesday 10 July. Some key Library briefings, Committee reports and Government responses are listed below.
Research Briefing

Sustainable Development Goals: How is the UK performing?

Thursday, 04 July, 2019

The UK’s Voluntary National Review will be presented to the UN in July.
Insight

Sustainable Development Goals: How is the UK performing?

Thursday, 04 July, 2019

The UK’s Voluntary National Review will be presented to the UN in July.
Debate Pack

Potential red squirrel extinction

Tuesday, 02 July, 2019

MPs will debate the potential extinction of the red squirrel on Wednesday 3 July at 9.30am in Westminster Hall. This House of Commons Library debate pack contains background information and press and parliamentary coverage.
Research Briefing

The Children’s Future Food Report

Wednesday, 26 June, 2019

MPs will debate the Children’s Future Food Report on Thursday 27 June 2019. This House of Commons Library briefing provides information on the report and also parliamentary and press coverage.
Debate Pack

Debate on an e-petition calling for a ban on the use of all non-recyclable and unsustainable food packaging

Wednesday, 19 June, 2019

A pack will be prepared ahead of the debate to be held in Westminster Hall at 4.30pm on Monday 24 June 2019 on an e-petition relating to unsustainable packaging. The debate will be opened by Daniel Zeichner MP.
Debate Pack

Debate on an e-petition relating to the identification of pets

Thursday, 13 June, 2019

This pack has been prepared ahead of the debate to be held in Westminster Hall on Monday 17 June 2019 on an e-petition relating to the identification of pets. The subject for the debate has been chosen by the Petitions Committee and the debate will be opened by Martyn Day MP.
Research Briefing

Brexit and air quality

Tuesday, 21 May, 2019

This paper gives an overview of how EU air quality legislation and policy is currently enshrined in the UK legal framework. It sets out the speculation and what is known so far about what could change in respect of air quality following Brexit.

Total results (page 32 of 60)