Policy Digest
Policy Digest is produced four times each year (February, April, July and October) by the BES Policy Team.
Contact us to receive Policy Digest by email.
The latest edition is below.
Policy Report – April 2013
Contents:
1. UK Parliamentary Committees
2. UK Government Departments
3. Devolved Administrations
4. European Union
5. Funding Councils
1. UK Parliament
a) Environmental Audit Committee (EAC)
- Current inquiries
An inquiry into Carbon Budgets was announced in March. This will assess whether the emissions reduction targets in the Climate Change Act are still valid as a UK contribution to avoiding dangerous climate change. This follows up from the Committee’s 2011 Carbon Budgets report. The Committee is also looking into the sustainable development and biodiversity in UK overseas territories through their Sustainability in UK Overseas Territories inquiry. Inquiries into the outcomes of the UN Rio+20 Earth Summit and the Government’s response to the Committee’s Protecting the Arctic report are still ongoing.
- Reports published since February 2013
The Committee’s ‘Pollinators and Pesticides’ report, into the impact of insecticides on bees and other pollinators was published earlier this month. The Government is urged to introduce and support a precautionary ban on three neonicotinoids across the UK and Europe. The Committee condemns Defra’s ‘extraordinarily complacent approach to protecting bees’. The Government response to the Committee’s Wildlife Crime report was published in March. The Government rejected the Committee’s recommendations of allocating long-term funding to the National Wildlife Crime Unit and banning carbofuran, the main poison used to kill birds of prey.
b) Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
- Current inquiries
A Flood Funding inquiry examining spending on flood defences was announced in January 2013. An inquiry into The Common Fisheries Policy is still underway, and the Committee plans to scrutinise progress towards EU reform of the policy. In response to the Chalara outbreak across the UK, the Committee has set up an inquiry into Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity to explore whether Defra policies are fit for purpose. The inquiry was announced in late November, and oral evidence sessions are ongoing. The Committee is assessing the potential for a Bovine TB vaccine through an inquiry that will look into costs and efficacy.
c) House of Commons Science and Technology Committee
- Current inquiries
An inquiry into Water Quality, assessing the effects of chemicals on water quality and the cost of their removal is ongoing. The Committee has announced an inquiry into Climate Change, which will look into what the public understand about climate, where people look for their information and how that may impact climate change policy. This was sparked by the Foresight programme’s report into the International Dimensions of Climate Change, and a previous Committee report that considered issues of public trust and risk communication in relation to energy. Written submissions for this inquiry are invited until 22 April.
- Reports published since February 2013
A report from the Committee’s inquiry into Marine Science was published earlier this month. The need for further understanding of marine environments was emphasized, and Government was urged to continue to use the best available information to establish Marine Conservation Zones. The Committee published a report into their ‘Bridging the Valley of Death’ inquiry, highlighting the lack of a coherent strategy to support the commercialisation of technological innovation in the UK.
d) House of Lords Science and Technology Committee
- Reports published since February 2013
A report into Open Access was published at the end of February, criticizing Research Councils UK’s (RCUK) lack of clarity over open access and the implementation of the policy. The revision of RCUK procedures broadly in line with these comments was welcomed by the Committee, but they still call for greater clarity regarding embargo periods and the review of the policy in a letter to RCUK.
e) Energy and Climate Change Committee
- Current inquiries
The Committee launched an inquiry into Bioenergy in March. This will assess the potential for biomass to contribute towards the UK’s energy policy objectives, the ability of the industry to meet the scale required and what challenges they face in doing so. An inquiry into the proposed Severn Barrage is still underway, and follows on from the Government’s 2010 feasibility study into tidal power in the region. The Committee will look at the potential for the Cardiff-Weston barrage, including the risks and opportunities it could pose to wildlife and habitats in the area.
f) Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST)
- Recent POSTnotes – since February 2013
The POSTnotes of possible interest to BES members are:
430 – Stem Education for 14-19 year olds
433 – Livestock Vaccines
The new BES POST Fellow, Rory O’Connor, completing a PhD at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, started his Fellowship this month.
2. UK Government Departments
a) Defra
- News
Ecosystem Markets
The Ecosystem Markets Task Force, a business-led group that has been reviewing the opportunities for new developments in UK business which protect and improve natural capital, published its final report in March. Their top five opportunities are: biodiversity offsetting, anaerobic digestion, local woodfuel supply chains, nature-based certification, and water cycle catchment management. A full summary is available on the BES blog.
Common Agricultural Policy to be implemented regionally in UK countries
Confirmation that England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will continue to implement the Common Agricultural Policy regionally was given by the EU Agriculture Council last month.
Chalara management plan
An updated management plan for Chalara was published at the end of March, replacing December’s interim strategy. The publication of a management plan shows acceptance that the disease can only be controlled, not eradicated. The key strategies are: removal of young infected ash saplings; continuing with the ban on movement of ash trees; and continuing to monitor signs of Chalara in established woods and forests. Grants will be available to landowners to assist with removal and replacement of diseased saplings.
Confor published a report assessing the potential impacts of Chalara across the UK. A summary is available on the BES blog.
Natural Capital Committee publishes first annual report
The State of Natural Capital Report 2013 was published earlier this month, and sets out a framework to for natural capital to be a key part of economic decision-making in the UK. Their key messages and recommendations highlight the need for natural capital assets to be fully understood, valued correctly and accounted for in national accounts. The role that natural capital can play in supporting economic growth was also outlined.
Government research into the effects of neonicotinoids published
Research into the effects of neonicotinoids on bees in field conditions was published last month. This report forms part of long-awaited results from Government field trials. Despite large amounts of evidence published in scientific literature citing the potential damaging effects of neonicotinoids, Government have avoided making a decision over a ban of the pesticides, stating the need to wait for the results of their own research. The results show that neonicotinoids may have a less detrimental effect than previously thought, but many, including Defra’s chief scientist, are worried about contamination of the trial site. Defra have summarised FERA’s research, concluding that the effects of neonicotinoids do not occur under “natural circumstances”.
- Consultations
Triennial Review of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee
The start of the review of this UK-wide body was announced in March. The Wildlife and Countryside Link responded to the consultation.
Future of Farming
Throughout March, Defra sought views from interested parties regarding the workforce need for a sustainable, productive and resilient agriculture sector both now and in the future. This included the wider agriculture sector, such as scientific research.
b) Department for Energy and Climate Change
- News
UK joins Tropical Forests Alliance 2020
Energy and Climate Change Minster, Greg Barker, announced in April that the UK will support the Tropical Forests Alliance 2020, a partnership set up by the Consumer Goods Forum and the US Government to tackle deforestation. The aim of the group is to eliminate deforestation from palm oil, soya, beef and paper supply chains by 2020. It brings together companies and governments to identify opportunities for more sustainable production methods and supply chains. Last year, the UK Government announced they would be sustainably sourcing all palm oil used in their catering from 2015.
c) Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
- Consultations
Spending Review
The UK science budget is set by Government’s Spending Review. In 2010, the science and research budget was ring-fenced at £4.6bn per year. This figure was frozen across the budget period, representing a budget reduction of around 10% after four years, once the effect of inflation is taken into account. On 26 June this year, the Spending Review for 2015-16 will be announced. As seen in 2010, many are concerned about the level of funding that will be allocated to science, and whether this will be ‘flat cash’. Science is Vital, the group set up to rally together support for science ahead of the 2010 Review, have called for UK Government funding for science to be increased to 0.8% GDP to match the G8 average.
The four national academies in the UK have called for a stable 10-year investment framework for research, innovation and skills, and ring-fencing of the research budget and investment in research capital.
d) HM Treasury
- News
Budget
The 2013 Budget delivered a promise of £1.6m, with expected matching sums from private sector, to support industrial strategy. An increase in R&D tax credits was announced to target income development from research. Some believe, however, that there is little evidence that these give R&D that would not have happened anyway.
3. Devolved Administrations
a) Scotland
Marine species mapped in new surveys
Surveys in the Firth of Clyde and Loch Sween to map wildlife were announced at the end of March. Funded by Marine Scotland, and carried out in collaboration with Scottish Natural Heritage, the surveys will shed light on the habitats present in these areas. Both areas were put forward to Scottish Parliament in December 2012 as potential Marine Protected Areas. Ministers are currently considering which of the 33 proposed sites will be formally consulted on this summer.
Terrestrial breeding bird statistics released
The abundances of Scotland’s terrestrial breeding birds from 1994-2011 were released last month. Overall, the abundance of all birds has increased in Scotland over this period, but there has been an 11% decrease in the abundance of upland birds. The data can be used to assess land use and recent changes in weather conditions.
Management of Chalara
Defra’s recent Chalara Management Plan relates only to management of the disease in England. The Scottish Government is currently developing a Scottish Action Plan for Chalara to complement measures taken elsewhere in the UK. This is in collaboration with the Scottish Tree Health Advisory Group, and is due to be published in the next few weeks. An assessment of the potential impacts of Chalara in Scotland was produced by Dr Richard Worrell earlier this year.
b) Wales
Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales to retire
Professor John Harries, CSA for Wales since 2010, will retire at the end of April. The search for a new CSA is currently underway.
Draft Action Plan for Pollinators
Wales has developed a draft Action Plan for Pollinators to help reverse declines of pollinators observed in recent decades. The draft plan is now open to consultation, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors are invited to comment. The consultation closes on 4 June.
Natural Resources Wales
The new body bringing together the current Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency Wales and Forestry Commission Wales, to manage Wales’ natural resources has been launched. There is more information on the BES blog.
Management of Chalara
Wales has developed a Chalara management plan for Wales, as an update to Defra’s interim control plan. Both England and Wales’ plans are based on the same four key objectives.
c) Northern Ireland
Management of Chalara
Northern Ireland is currently working with the Republic of Ireland to develop an Ireland-wide Chalara management plan. Comments are invited on a draft strategy document until 30 April.
Defra Chalara Management Plan: “[Northern Ireland’s] plan will have four aims: (i) reduce the risk of the disease becoming established; (ii) support research; (iii) 5 encourage stakeholder engagement; and (iv), plan for resilience in woodland/woodland industries in the event that the disease becomes established there.”
Phytophthora lateralis found in County Down
The disease Phytophthora lateralis, which affects Lawson cypress trees has been diagnosed in County Down. This is only the third location in which the disease has been identified in Northern Ireland.
Cost of invasive species
Invasive Species Ireland recently published a report detailing the cost of invasive species to Northern Ireland and Ireland. It estimates that the annual cost of invasive species to the Northern Ireland economy is £46.5 million, through the effects they have on biodiversity, native flora and fauna and ecosystem services.
Climate Change Bill pre-consultation
The Department of the Environment is seeking views on the value of Northern Ireland climate change legislation and a voluntary approach to emissions reductions. It is proposed that this will lead to legislation that includes targets for emissions reduction, creates a new independent climate change committee, and introduces statutory reporting for public authorities. The pre-consultation closes on 24 May.
Food security
The Public Health Agency has published a report on food security in both Northern Ireland and Ireland. This highlights the growing problem of shrinking food resources, and the potential policy directions needed to combat this.
4. European Union
Reform of EU fishing policy
In February the European Parliament voted to reform the current EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), with an end to the practice of discards likely to be phased in from 2014. Trilogues between the European Parliament, Commission and Council are currently underway to form a coherent policy. The fourth round of discussions took place in early April and began to approach the key articles in the basic regulation, notably the issues of the discard ban and the use of maximum sustainable yield throughout policies. There will be three more meetings before the final discussions on 28 May. The next trilogue is set for 24 April.
EU fails to ban neonicotinoid pesticides
A two-year suspension of neonicotinoid pesticides was proposed by the European Commission in March, but member states were not able to pass this in a vote. 13 nations were in favour of the ban, five abstained and nine opposed, meaning there was no majority for or against. The UK abstained from the vote, asking the EC to wait for the results of Defra-backed field trials.
Common Agricultural Policy reform
As part of the wider EU budget review for the period 2014-2020, the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been under scrutiny by the European Commission for a number of years. Changes to ‘green’ the policy were developed in 2011, and have been discussed and amended since. In March, the European Parliament debated and voted on these changes, altering the specifics behind the message of greening the CAP. To receive green funding, farmers still have to meet the three main criteria of: crop diversity, maintenance of grassland, and management of land as EFAs, but the environmental guidelines behind these have changed. A full explanation is available on the BES blog.
5. Research Councils
Open Access
Following recommendations from the Lords Science and Technology Committee, and a number of organisations such as HEFCE, RCUK published revised policy guidelines last month. The new guidelines include a ‘transition period’ of five years for journals and authors to move to Open Access. At the end of this period, RCUK are aiming for 100% of the articles they fund to be published as Open Access, with at least 75% published in immediately accessible areas.
All BES journals are now compliant with RCUK’s policies. Both Catherine Hill, Publications Manager, and Hazel Norman, Executive Director, at the BES are very involved with these developments.
Triennial review of the Research CouncilsThe BES submitted a response to the initial consultation at the end of February. The need for Research Councils to develop cross-Council programmes was noted, in addition to the effects of the current divisions on research areas such as agriculture, food and conservation. Through this review, BIS seeks to assess the structures currently in place for delivering funding for the research base of the UK. Evidence about the current structure and governance of the Research Councils, and their relationships with each other and a range of stakeholders will be used for this.