The EU offered protection to everything from the harbour porpoise to hen harriers. Now, the future of UK conservation law is uncertain.

Environmental standards are at risk across the board, from wildlife and habitats to water and air quality, a risk assessment shows

A report commissioned by Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland

In the face of “no deal” environmental aims are made more challenging. Stephanie Hilborne, The Wildlife Trusts' Chief Executive, explains the effects it could have on the natural world.

This report identifies and then looksfurtherat the currentlymost prominent options (as at thestartof February2019) for the UK’s departure from the EU. In particularit considersthe current Withdrawal Agreement reached between the EU and the UK,together with the associated Political Declaration;and some of the alternatives, notably “no deal”,and choosing to remainin the EU.

'Brexit is very bad news for conservation breeding,' says Sander Hofman, general curator of Antwerp Zoo

Environmentalists fear Northern Ireland could be left behind when it comes to protecting important species and habitats after Brexit. Much of the current protection is based on EU law, backed up by the threat of fines from a European court.

Stretching over 18 % of the EU’s land area and almost 9,5% % of its marine territory, it is the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world. It offers a haven to Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats.

Many environmental regulations based on EU law, Institute of European Environmental Policy warns.

Wildlife, air quality and fish stocks are all at risk as ministers water down EU regulations.

Company denies ‘sweet deal’ that will import sugar cane from countries with lower employment and environmental standards.

The charity behind the world-renowned Fair Isle bird observatory has been forced to return to the drawing board in its attempts to rebuild the centre, which was destroyed in a devastating fire nearly two years ago.

Environment secretary George Eustice wants to tear up a key piece of European law that environmentalists say protects cherished habitats in the UK.

Transfers of animals for conservation schemes involving Ireland, Britain and EU plunged from 1,400 in 2019 to just 48 last year.

Zoos and aquariums from across the island of Ireland have written to the British and Irish prime ministers to call for an agreement on the transfer of animals post-Brexit.

A cross border group of zoos and aquariums in Ireland and the UK have called on politicians to sort out animal transfer issues caused by Brexit.

They will be joined by a young bull from Germany in mid-August, whose arrival was delayed by import complications related to Brexit.

However, there are fears these breeding programmes designed to save critically endangered species could now be jeopardised by Brexit. / Zoos in Kent say they are being prevented from transferring animals because of red tape.

Campaigners say revoking of post-Brexit protections amounts to legislative vandalism. / Hundreds of Britain’s environmental laws covering water quality, sewage pollution, clean air, habitat protections and the use of pesticides are lined up for removal from UK law under a government bill.

Government’s plan to ‘streamline’ environmental regulations could put dormice, porpoises and bats under threat.

The director general of the National Trust said that investment zones ‘represent a free-for-all for nature and heritage’.

A bill to remove EU-derived laws that include 570 environmental regulations will cause serious ecological harm, charities and MPs have warned.

At risk are vital environmental and wildlife protections my colleagues and I worked tirelessly to establish in the European Parliament.