Call for members’ input: responding to proposals for powers to change environmental assessment legislation in Scotland

The Rural Affairs and Islands Committee is seeking views on the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (NE Bill) and we are currently finalising our response to the Call for Views (closes 9th May).

The NE Bill has four key parts covering statutory biodiversity targets, deer management and National Parks, but also potentially sweeping powers to change the key environmental protections in the EIA and Habitats Regulations. It is this latter area (Part 2) of the Bill that we have been actively scrutinising and have most concern over.

CIEEM has also been invited to give oral evidence to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on the 21st May and Dr Caroline McParland, Vice-President Scotland, will be representing CIEEM.

We would really appreciate members’ input — if you have information relating to the following areas, please email, policy@CIEEM.net:

• specific examples of EIA and Hab Regs working effectively.
• relevant case law.
• sites that have had the designation amended under HRA due to species changes.
• ECoW requirements, changes in location or design, even things like the contracts that contractors have to sign which include schedules of mitigation that come directly for EIAs.

CIEEM will be holding a free-to-attend webinar and panel discussion on the NE Bill on Thursday the 15th of May (register here).