MSPs Pass Bill to Form New Environmental Watchdog

Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs) have voted to pass legislation which sets up a new watchdog (Environmental Standards Scotland) to have oversight over environmental standards.

The UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill was passed 90 votes to 29. The Bill also provides powers for Scottish Ministers to keep certain devolved laws in line with those of the EU where deemed “appropriate” and copies core environmental principles from EU law.