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<p>Defra has been clear in its commitments to uphold and not weaken environmental
protections. That is why our approach has always been to keep REUL, unless there is
a good reason to either remove it from the statute book or reform it. That approach
is now also reflected in the legislation, as the recently tabled Government amendment
will mean that REUL is retained unless it is specifically cited in the revocation
schedule. The Habitats Regulations are not on the schedule and therefore will not
be revoked by the Bill. Defra is carefully considering the use of REUL Bill powers
in the context of the Habitats Regulations.</p><p>We remain committed to our ambitious
plans of the Net Zero Strategy and the Environment Improvement Plan 2023. We are clear
that any REUL reform must be consistent with international obligations, including
the various Multilateral Environment Agreements we are signatory to, such as the Bern
Convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity.</p>
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