Environmental Outcomes Report consultation – NFU response

The NFU has responded to the Environmental Outcomes Report consultation.

There are several areas of concern for the NFU that have emerged from this consultation.

• The vague outline of the current proposal and the uncertainty this will create.
• The potential increased costs placed on rural businesses and farmers from further assessment and monitoring, as existing EIA regimes are upgraded to meet the newly established EOR requirements.
• The use, ownership, and sale of data produced by applicants undertaking environmental assessments.
• The new approach of using environmental assessment as a driver for environmental improvement to a much greater extent than is currently required.
• The degree to which further resources promised by government will be available to assist the new assessment.

The NFU is requesting that DLUHC focus on the following principles during the EOR consultation process:

• Ensure new costs are not placed on applicants through increased responsibility and more frequent (e.g. scope) assessment.
• That EORs are more accurately targeted to only those projects or plans that are likely to have a significant or lasting negative impact on a protected site or species. That the new assessment does not increase costs, time delays, uncertainty, or bureaucracy.
• A new focus on sharing data which does not lead to a loss of valuable assets that are currently owned by applicants/business owners.
• That there will be no overall increase in requirement for an assessment to be carried out where previously there was no requirement.
• Prevent the use of the new assessment as a driver for environmental targets at the expense of the applicant.
• Reduce the uncertainty that many aspects of the new assessment will bring through either clear or robust guidance, as well as a clear direction in what can be expected from the new assessment.

NFU members can read the consultation response in full at: Environmental Outcomes Reports: a new approach to environmental assessment

A response from the Government is now awaited and members will be updated in due course.

This consultation is now closed to responses.

The NFU has published a briefing note on the Environmental Outcomes Report, which includes a comparison between the current and suggested new system of environmental assessments and outlines the NFU's initial response for members.

This consultation raises questions around the future of environmental assessments and the impact on NFU members. The change of assessment framework presents areas of concern for the NFU, including:

• The potential increased costs placed on small businesses and farmers, from further assessment and monitoring.
• The use, ownership, and sale of data produced by applicants undertaking environmental assessments.
• The new approach of using environmental assessment as a driver for environmental improvement; to a much greater extent than is currently required.
• The degree to which further resources that are promised by government will be available to assist the new assessment.

NFU members can log in to read the consultation briefing here: Briefing Note on Environmental Outcomes Report

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities has launched a consultation towards the new proposed system of environmental assessment, known as the 'Environmental Outcomes Reports', which will replace the current EU-based assessment processes in place. 

The consultation concerns the use of powers within the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill for environmental assessment, and is seeking views from stakeholders across environmental assessment regimes on how a new framework could work as a replacement to the existing assessment regimes in place.

You can read more about the consultation at: Environmental Outcomes Report: a new approach to environmental assessment

Stakeholders could respond to the consultation online through the UK government's Citizen Space platform or by e-mail until 9 June 2023.