Ian Duncan, the Conservative MEP for Scotland, has launched a consultation on how best to protect Scotland’s natural environment after the UK leaves the EU.

The vote to leave the EU will mean that much of the existing environmental legislation, currently decided in Brussels, will be transferred to the Scottish government and its agencies. This will include protections currently contained within the Birds and Habitats Directives.

Ian’s call for views follows on from his consultation of earlier this year, which asked Scottish stakeholders how existing EU legislation should be amended or improved. The results of the consultation can be read here.

Commenting, Ian said:

‘Scotland’s natural environment is currently protected under a number of EU directives. Brexit will change that. The power to protect Scotland’s wild areas and wildlife will revert to the Scotland. In my earlier consultation on the EU’s Birds and Habitats Directives a number of shortcomings were recognised. Today the scope for reform is greater than ever. It will be essential to strike the right balance between protecting our wild areas whilst also ensuring that those who derive an income from them both onshore and offshore are integral to any reform. There is much at stake so I would urge all to take part in the consultation.’