To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made on the implications of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill on habitat restoration in Northern Ireland.

The UK Government has recently introduced the Retained EU Law (REUL) (Revocation and Reform) Bill which proposes that retained EU Law is repealed, amended or extended from 31 December 2023. My officials are considering the potential impact of the REUL Bill along with colleagues across the NICS and in other UK jurisdictions.

I can confirm that Habitats Regulations fall within the scope of the REUL Bill.

It is my intention that Northern Ireland continues to have a clear statutory basis for protecting the environment and human health, as has been the case throughout the changes resulting from the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.