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Environment after Brexit (protection and legislation)

Overview

Last updated
5 January 2021

The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020. This process is often known as 'Brexit'.

The UK Government and the EU have now agreed a deal on their future relationship. From 1 January 2021 this new relationship with the EU will begin.

There will be effects on some areas of life in Scotland. This may include changes to environment law.

This page will be updated to give the latest facts. Keep checking back for new information.

Scotland has measures in place to protect the environment, and these measures are supported by EU laws and standards. These EU laws and standards may be affected by Brexit.

The Scottish Government is committed to making sure it meets EU environmental standards after Brexit.

Environmental legislation has been corrected to make sure the law continues to work as it has been in key areas. The Scottish Government is working on this with public bodies like the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and NatureScot.

These areas include:

  • air quality
  • chemicals
  • flooding
  • habitat and species protection
  • noise
  • pollution prevention and control
  • statistics and data
  • waste
  • water
  • wildlife management

Forestry in Scotland after Brexit

You can find more information on forestry in Scotland from 1 January 2021. This includes importing and exporting timber.

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