When the government announced this year it would indefinitely delay plans to force UK companies to adopt a new post-Brexit quality mark, the UKCA, Simon Blackham, of the insulation maker Recticel, was delighted. “Yes! An outbreak of common sense,” he recalls thinking. / His joy was short-lived, however.
Could sunset on EU laws see azodicarbonimide appear in ultra-processed baked products, while other additives disappear but only from ingredients lists?
World-renowned economist Adam Posen reveals some tough truths about Britain’s situation.
Work to install waterproof lining to part of the Shropshire Union Canal has been hit by delays caused by the pandemic and Brexit.
Experts warn UK’s regulations now lag behind those of the EU and that Britons will be exposed to more toxic chemicals as a result.
The government is to loosen EU-derived laws on chemicals in a move experts say will increase the likelihood of toxic substances entering the environment.
Figures show Brexit compounding Covid disruption, with clothing exports plunging 60%, vegetables down 40% and cars 25%.
American agricultural lobby groups had criticised some of the import bans.
The UK is facing a £1 billion bill to replicate the EU’s chemical database after the government opted to leave the bloc’s REACH system on 31 December.
Trade will be ‘day-to day struggle’ after Brexit is completed, MPs told in grim industry forecast
30/09/2020
Inquiry hears of massive extra costs, a mountain of red tape, shrinking investment and chemicals ‘disappearing’ from UK market.
EU restricts use of eight chemicals, with 16 more in pipeline; UK has two under consideration.
Tory MPs urge government to scrap EU pesticide regulations and allow all US chemicals on food
14/06/2022
Conservative MPs have urged the government to use its Brexit freedoms to ditch the EU’s cautious approach to making sure pesticides are safe for human consumption.
Small towns in Midlands and North will suffer most from Boris Johnson’s Brexit trade deal, IFS says
26/02/2020
Small towns in the Midlands and North are among the areas likely to suffer most from the bare-bones trade deal Boris Johnson is seeking with Brussels, according to a respected economic thinktank.
The supply chain crisis has sparked a relaxation of rules on dumping waste water.
Wastewater plants in England offered waiver because of impact of lorry driver crisis.
Rules on waste water discharge eased due to supply shortages linked to Brexit and pandemic
07/09/2021
Waste water plants have been told they may be allowed to discharge effluent that has not been properly treated due to chemical shortages caused by Brexit and the pandemic.
Post-Brexit chemicals regime risks UK becoming ‘dumping ground’ for dangerous substances, campaigners warn
16/12/2021
A plan by Boris Johnson’s government to change the regulation of chemicals after Brexit risks making the UK a “dumping ground” for harmful substances, experts and campaigners have warned.
IN September 2019, the UK Government made public its list of “reasonable worst case assumptions” in the wake of a no-deal Brexit.
Universities UK says 80% of members very concerned, with some considering stockpiling.
No-deal Brexit could see substantial number of businesses become unprofitable and trigger food shortages, Mark Carney warns
02/08/2019
‘The challenge is, particularly in food, it’s perishable, so you can’t stockpile today for demand in November,’ Carney says. / A no-deal Brexit could cause food shortages, Mark Carney has suggested, adding that job losses and business closures are also likely.
Printing industry raises alarm over prospect of leaving the EU without an agreement.
Delays to an historic restoration project on the Powys border are a "cause for concern", volunteers say.
Greener UK claims analysis shows rhetoric on environment not being matched by action.
arning that UK in danger of sliding back to 1970s reputation as ‘dirty man of Europe’.
Publication of UK REACH's priorities for upcoming year prompts concern of growing regulatory gap between EU and UK on hazardous chemical regulation.