Environment Bill — After Clause 106 — Habitats Regulations: Limits on Powers to Amend — 20 Oct 2021 at 19:00

The majority of MPs voted not to only empower ministers to make regulations relating to habits if those regulations improved habitats or were securing compliance with an international environmental obligation.

MPs were considering the Environment Bill.^[1][2]

The motion supported by a majority of MPs in this vote was:

• That this House disagrees with Lords amendment 65.

Lords amendment 65^[4] stated:

• Insert the following new Clause—
• “Habitats Regulations: limits on powers to amend
• The Secretary of State may only make regulations under section 105 or 106—
• (a) for the purposes of—
• (i) securing compliance with an international environmental obligation, or
• (ii) contributing to the favourable conservation status of species or habitats or the favourable condition of protected sites;
• (b) if the regulations do not reduce the level of protection provided by the Habitats Regulations, including protection for protected species, habitats or sites; and
• (c) following public consultation and consultation with—
• (i) the Office for Environmental Protection,
• (ii) Natural England,
• (iii) the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and
• (iv) other relevant expert bodies.”

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• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Environment Bill, Parliament.uk
• [2] Explanatory notes to the Environment Bill, 30 January 2020, Parliament.uk
• [3] The Environment Bill as introduced to the House of Lords on 26 May 2021, Parliament.uk
• [4] Lords amendments to the Environment Bill, 14 October 2021, Parliament.uk
• [5] Explanatory notes to the Lords amendments to the Environment Bill, 14 October 2021, Parliament.uk

Debate in Parliament |