SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna has expressed her concerns around legislation to remove retained EU law.

The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill is set to have its second reading in the House of Commons today.

Ms Hanna said the bill could have a profound impact on Northern Ireland’s environment and has submitted an Early Day Motion urging the government to stop the removal of important environmental and nature legislation.

South Belfast MP Ms Hanna said:

“This law would remove many of the environmental protections in Northern Ireland that were introduced here through EU legislation and has the potential to be disastrous for our environment, worsening the existing nature crisis and making it harder to deal with the climate emergency.

“If passed it would see huge changes to environmental law here, including the removal of legislation to protect species and where they live, particularly concerning given around 11% of species here are already at risk of extinction. The plan is further complicated by the lack of an Assembly and Executive to introduce new laws to replace those that are being removed through this Bill.

“I would urge the government to acknowledge the unique situation we are facing in Northern Ireland and stop the removal of this important environmental and nature legislation. I am seriously concerned that this approach will send us on a downward spiral towards deregulation, lower standards and environmental destruction that we will find it impossible to recover from.”