Europe

This page contains the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee's work in relation to Europe and the European Union. 

Evidence

The Committee received written submissions from a panel of environmental experts on the environmental implications for Scotland of the UK leaving the EU ahead of its evidence session with the panel, on 14 March 2017.

• Written submission received from Professor Gavin Little 27 February (232KB pdf)
• Written submission received from Professor Elisa Morgan 27 February (830KB pdf)
• Written submission received from Professor Colin Reid 27 February (325KB pdf)
• Written submission received from Dr Annalisa Savaresi 27 February (406KB pdf)  

The Committee received written submissions from a panel of environmental experts on the environmental implications for Scotland of the UK leaving the EU ahead of its evidence session with the panels, on 23 January 2018. 

• Amended written submission from Professor Gavin Little, 15 January 2018 ( 367KB pdf)
• Written submission from Professor Colin Reid, 15 January 2018 (238KB pdf)
• Written submission from Dr Annalisa Savaresi, 15 January 2018 (305KB pdf)
• UPDATED written submission from Dr Annalisa Savaresi 24 January 2018 (305KB pdf)
• Written submission from National Farmers Union Scotland, 15 January 2018 (168KB pdf)
• Written submission from Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, 15 January 2018 (221KB pdf)
• Written submission from Scottish Environment LINK, 15 January 2018 (216KB pdf)

Additional Information

On 15 July 2016, the European and External Relations Committee wrote to the Committee outlining its future work programme following the result of the referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union and the Scottish Parliament's European Strategy.  On 22 September 2016, the Committee responded.

• Letter from Convener of the European and External Relations Committee on the result of the European referendum and the Scottish Parliament's EU strategy 15 July 2016 (153KB pdf)
• Letter to the Convener to the European and External Relations Committee on the result of the European referendum and the Scottish Parliament's EU Strategy 22 September (161KB pdf)

On 22 September 2016 the Committee wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform regarding the implications for Scotland of the result of the referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union.  

• Letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change on the implications for Scotland of the result of the referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union 22 September 2016 (139KB pdf)

On 17 October 2016 the Committee received a letter from the Northern Irish Assembly for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on research they have commissioned on the potential impact of Brexit. On the 25 October the Committee Convener sent a response:

• Letter from Northern Irish Assembly for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on the potential impact of Brexit 17 October 2016 (237KB pdf)

On 22 November 2016, the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee wrote to the Committee's EU reporter, David Stewart MSP, providing an update on its work on the implications of the UK's withdrawal from the EU for Scotland.

• Letter from the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee to the Committee's EU reporter 22 November 2016 (269KB pdf)

On 22 November 2016, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform wrote to the Committee providing an update on the Scottish Government's work on the implications for Scotland of the result of the referendum on the UK's membership of the EU.

• Letter from Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform on the Scottish Government's work on the implications for Scotland of the result of the referendum on the UK's membership of the EU 22 November 2016 (225KB pdf)

On 9 December 2016, the Committee received correspondence from the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee Convener on EU Engagement and scrutiny.

• Letter from Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee Convener on EU Engagement and scrutiny 9 December 2016 (92KB pdf)

On 7 February 2017, the Convener wrote to the Convener of the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee on EU Engagement and scrutiny in response to the letter the Committee received on 9 December 2016.

• Letter from the Convener to the Convener of the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee 7 February 2017 (285KB pdf)

On 29 March 2017 the Convener wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform seeking clarification on the environmental implications for Scotland of the UK leaving the EU, following its evidence session with a panel of environmental experts on 14 March 2017.

• Letter from the Convener to the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform on the environmental implications for Scotland of the UK leaving the EU (258KB pdf)

On 18 April 2017, the Convener wrote to the Committee's House of Common and House of Lords counterparts to invite them to discuss issues of mutual interest and the potential for joint working on the environmental implications for Scotland of the UK leaving the EU.

• Letter from the Convener to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee in the House of Commons, 18 April 2017 (220KB pdf)
• Letter from the Convener to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee in the House of Commons, 18 April 2017 (220KB pdf)  
• Letter from the Convener to the Environmental Audit Committee in the House of Commons, 18 April 2017 (220KB pdf)
• Letter from the Convener to the European Scrutiny Committee in the House of Commons, 18 April 2017 (220KB pdf)  
• Letter from the Convener to the Exiting the European Union Committee in the House of Commons, 18 April 2017 (220KB pdf)
• Letter from the Convener to the International Trade Committee in the House of Commons, 18 April 2017 (220KB pdf) 
• Letter from the Convener to the Scottish Affairs Committee in the House of Commons, 18 April 2017 (220KB pdf)
• Letter from the Convener to the EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee in the House of Lords, 18 April 2017 (220KB pdf)
• Letter from the Convener to the Internal Market Sub-Committee in the House of Lords, 18 April 2017 (220KB pdf)
• Letter from the Convener to the EU Select Committee in the House of Lords, 18 April 2017 (220KB pdf)

On 19 April, the Committee received correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity, on a meeting between DEFRA and representatives of the Devolved Administrations.

• Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity on a meeting between DEFRA and representatives of the devolved administrations 19 April 2017 (103KB pdf)

On 21 April 2017, the Committee received correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, providing an update on the outcomes on a meeting between DEFRA and representatives of the Devolved Administrations.

• Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform on a meeting between DEFRA and representatives of the Devolved Administrations.21 April 2017 (161 KB pdf)

On 21 April 2017, the Committee received correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, on the environmental implications for Scotland of the UK leaving the EU in response to the letter the Committee sent on 29 March 2017. 

• Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, on the environmental implications for Scotland of the UK leaving the EU 21 April 2017 (304KB pdf)

On 27 April 2017, the Committee received a letter from Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity, providing an update on the key point raised at a recent meeting between DEFRA and representatives of the Devolved Administrations.

• Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for  Rural Economy and Connectivity, regarding a meeting between DEFRA and representatives of the Devolved Administrations. 27 April 2017 (163KB pdf)

On 14 June 2017, the Convener wrote to the newly appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, inviting him to a future Committee meeting.

• Letter sent to Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 14 June 2017 (200KB pdf)

Following the UK General Election in June 2017, the Committee wrote to its newly established counterpart committees in Westminster to highlight its work on issues relating to exiting the European Union and propose collaboration:

• Letter from the Convener to the Chair of the House of Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee 28 September 2017 (110KB pdf)
• Letter from the Convener to the Chair of the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee 28 September 2017 (109KB pdf)
• Letter from the Convener to the Chair of the House of Commons Exiting the EU Committee 28 September 2017 (110KB pdf)
• Letter from the Convener to the Chair of the House of Commons International Trade Committee 28 September 2017 (110KB pdf)
• Letter from the Convener to the Chair of the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee 28 September 2017 (109KB pdf)
• Letter from the Convener to the Chair of the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee 28 September 2017 (109KB pdf)
• Letter from the Convener to the Chair of the House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub Committee 28 September 2017 (109KB pdf)
• Letter from the Convener to the Chair of the House of Lords EU Internal Market Sub Committee 28 September 2017 (110KB pdf)
• Letter from the Convener to the Chair of the House of Lords EU Select Committee 28 September 2017 (110KB pdf)

Letter sent to Mike Hedges, Chair, Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, National Assembly for Wales inviting him to meet with the Committee to discuss the implication of leaving the European Union. 

• Letter sent to National Assembly for Wales 29 September 2017 (222KB pdf)

Letter received from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform and the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity updating the Committee on the key points from the Defra and Devolved Administrations Ministerial meeting held on 6 November 2017.

•  Letter providing DEFRA update 8 December 2017 (208KB pdf)

Letter from Graeme Dey MSP, Convener of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee to Joan McAlpine MSP regarding the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee's letter dated 21 December on EU Engagement and Scrutiny of the Committees of the Scottish Parliament.   

• Letter to Convener of Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee, 17 January 2018 (302KB pdf)  

Letter from Graeme Dey MSP, Convener of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee to Bruce Crawford MSP regarding the letter dated 11 January 2018 on Finance and Constitution Committee Interim Report on the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill’s Legislative Consent Memorandum, 17 January 2018 (306KB pdf)  

• Letter to Convener of Finance and Constitution Committee 17 January 2018 (306KB pdf)  

On 31 January 2018 the Committee wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform regarding the Environmental Implications for Scotland of the UK exiting the EU following its evidence session on the same topic on 23 January 2018. 

• Letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform regarding the Environmental Implications for Scotland of the UK exiting the EU 31 January 2018 (135KB pdf)

Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform regarding the Environmental Implications for Scotland of the UK exiting the EU in response to the letter the Committee sent on 31 January 2018.

• Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform regarding the Environmental Implications for Scotland of the UK exiting the EU, 22 Febrruary 2018 (210KB pdf)

On 22 February,  the Conveners of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform and Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee wrote to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, inviting him to a future Committee meeting.

• Letter to Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 22 February 2018 (234KB pdf)

On 12 March, the Convener of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee wrote to the following counterpart committees in Westminster regarding the ECCLR Committee's most recent work on the UK's decision to leave the European Union and its implications for Scotland. 

• Letter sent 12 March 2018 (156KB pdf) to:
• Chair, Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, House of Commons
• Chair, EU Select Committee, House of Lords
• Chair, EU Internal Market Committee, House of Lords
• Chair, EU Energy and Environment Sub Committee, House of Lords
• Chair, Environmental Audit Committee, House of Commons
• Chair, Scottish Affairs Committee, House of Commons
• Chair, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, House of Commons, Chair, Exiting the European Union Committee, House of Commons
• Chair, International Trade Committee, House of Commons, Chair, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, House of Commons
• Chair, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, House of Commons
• Chair, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, House of Commons
• Letter sent to Mike Hedges, Chair, Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, National Assembly for Wales, 12 March 2018 (156KB pdf).

On 13 March 2018, the Committee wrote to the Finance and Constitution Committee on the Legislative Consent Memorandum on the UK Government's Trade Bill.

• Letter to the Convener of the Finance and Constitution Committee on the Legislative Consent Memorandum on the UK Government's Trade Bill 13 March 2018 (111KB pdf) 

Letter received 15 March 2018 from Pete Wishart MP, Chair, Scottish Affairs Committee regarding the Committee's most recent work on the UK's decision to leave the European Union and its implications for Scotland. 

• Letter from Scottish Affairs Committee, 15 March 2018 (394KB pdf)

On 23 April 2018, the Committee received correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform and the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity on recent devolved ministerial meetings with DEFRA.

• Letter from Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform and the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity on recent devolved ministerial meetings with DEFRA 23 April 2018 (132KB pdf)

On 30 April 2018, the Committee received an update from the National Assembly for Wales Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee on its work on Brexit related issues

• Letter from National Assembly for Wales Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee on its work on Brexit related issues 30 April 2018 (257KB pdf)

On 21 June 2018 the Convener wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform following the Committee's evidence session on 5 June 2018 with the Roundtable on Environment and Climate Change on their report on environmental governance in Scotland after EU withdrawal.

• Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform 21 June 2018 (583KB pdf)  

On 5 September 2018, the Committee received a response to this letter:

• Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform on the Rountable on Environment and Climate Change 5 September 2018 (145KB pdf)

On 29 June 2018, the Committee received a letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform and the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity on DEFRA and Devolved Administration meetings

• Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform and the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity on DEFRA and Devolved Administration meetings 29 June 2018 (123KB pdf)

On 3 July 2018, the Committee wrote to the Rt. Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs following his evidence to the Committee on 27 June 2018

• Letter to Rt. Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs following his evidence to the Committee on 27 June 2018 3 July 2018 (157KB pdf)

On 14 September 2018, the Committee received a joint letter on Devolved Administrations Ministerial Meetings with DEFRA from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform and the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment.

• Letter on Devolved Administrations Ministerial Meetings with DEFRA from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform and the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment 14 September 2018 (436KB pdf)

EU Environment Council Updates

On 8 July 2016, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform wrote to the Committee informing it of the discussions which had taken place at the EU Environment Council on 20 June 2016.  The topics covered included reform of the Emission Trading Scheme and the ratification of the Paris agreement.

• Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform on Environment Council 20 June 2016 (129KB pdf)

On 18 October 2016, the Committee received a letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform providing the Committee with an update on the EU Environment Council meeting held in Brussels on 30 September 2016.

• Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform 18 October 2016 (3259KB pdf)

On 15 March 2017, the Convener received a letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform providing an update on the outcomes of the EU Environment Council meeting she attended in Brussels on 28 February 2017.

• Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform to the Convener 15 March 2017 (208KB pdf)

On 26 October 2018, the Committee received an update from the Cabinet Secretary for Enviroment, Climate Change and Land Reform on the 9 October 2018 EU Environment Council

• Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Enviroment, Climate Change and Land Reform on the 9 October 2018 EU Environment Council 26 October 2018 (143KB pdf) 

On 4 December 2018, the Committee received an update from the Cabinet Secretary for Enviroment, Climate Change and Land Reform on the Scottish Government’s plans for consultation on environmental principles and governance

• Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Enviroment, Climate Change and Land Reform 30 November 2018 (137KB pdf)