Brexit & Biodiversity - No Change?
In a nutshell, no change. The pre-exit legal and policy framework will continue in the short-medium term - bats, otters and cetaceans remain European Protected Species (EPS) with the same legal protections, SACs & SPAs continue as designated sites and Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA) still need to be completed. DAERA guidance (see link below) cites 'continuity and certainty in existing arrangements for the protection of habitats and species …’
Much of the UK’s environmental legislation, and various aspects of planning policy, are derived from EU law. All relevant directives and regulations dealing with habitats, wildlife and nature conservation etc. were transposed into national legislation before the UK’s exit from the EU. The primary piece of relevant EU-derived legislation, for example – the Habitats Regulations[1]– has been amended[2] only in so far as was necessary to ensure continued effective operation, and only limited changes have been made to other primary and subordinate legislation. The UK courts will consider rulings from the CJEU made up to the point of exit and existing guidance will continue to apply (with updates expected to correct terminology etc.). Other than some amendments to procedures and terminology, the legal and policy framework is essentially unchanged in practical terms.
I'm happy to discuss in more detail - please drop me an e-mail or give me a call.
COVID-19
Update - 11/01/2021
I'm reluctant to say 'business as normal' as this last year has been tough for all of us but that's where we are. The winter months are usually a quieter time for ecologists, with much less field work and travelling to contend with, so I am able to spend some time in the office working on reports and catching up with administration and correspondence but as the schools are closed I have reduced to a 4-day week (Mon-Thu). I'm not attending office meetings etc. but have Skype/Zoom/Teams etc. available for video conferencing. I'm happy to meet outside on site as necessary but with strict social distancing.
I have plenty of capacity for new work this year - please do give me a shout and I'll be happy to discuss your project and provide a quotation.
Update - 01/05/2020
I now have a full and closed order book for this year (with the exception of fee proposals which remain in date and follow-on work for commissioned projects). I may regain some capacity as the summer progresses and and projects are completed but as things stand I am not taking on any new work.
22/03/2020
I have suspended all travel and site survey work as of 18th March. I am reviewing this decision on a weekly basis, in line with advice and guidance provided by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) but for the time being I do not feel that field work and particularly travel to and from site can be classed as ‘essential.’ I am working on reports and responding to e-mail and telephone calls etc. from my office at home and will not be be attending office or site meetings until further notice (I have Skype and Zoom etc. available for video conferencing). As the schools are closed I have reduced to a 3-day working week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and will be taking on significantly less work this year. As things stand I have some remaining capacity for bat survey work and plenty of capacity for other work available in anticipation of a return to more normal conditions in the early summer.