New publications this month:

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

MCERTS: performance standards and test procedures for continuous water monitoring equipment - part 1: automatic sampling equipment

This document specifies performance standards and test methods for automatic water sampling equipment. The document has been revised with the objective of improving its clarity.

Regulatory Position Statement 392: Environmental permitting of onshore oil and/or gas facilities

The Environment Agency requires that new and existing onshore oil or gas facilities are subject to an environmental permit, where certain activities are undertaken. This RPS permits these facilities to continue to operate while permit variations and/or new applications are processed by the regulator.

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Planning Circular 1 2017: Environmental Impact Assessment regulations 2017

This document provides guidance on the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 and its influence on the planning system.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Pollution Prevention and Control (District Councils) Charging Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2017

This document presents fees for the pollution prevention and control regime in Northern Ireland.

Regulatory Position Statement: Fresh produce by-product from farms and food processing facilities

This statement outlines circumstances where waste authorisations are not required for the use of by-products as animal feed or an anaerobic digestion energy crop input.

Regulatory Position Statement: Bakery, brewing and dairy by-products from food and drink processing facilities

This statement states circumstances where by-products from baking, brewing or dairy may be used as animal feed or inputs to anaerobic digestion without a waste authorisation.

Licence revocation in relation to suspected wildlife crimes in Scotland

Scottish Natural Heritage has revoked a licence to control wild birds at an estate in the Scottish borders, following an investigation which found evidence that wildlife crimes were being committed.

An investigation found evidence of multiple breaches of an individual licence to control wild birds, presenting a breach of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended. In addition to the revocation of this licence, the details of the offence have been reported to Police Scotland.

A general licence restriction had applied against the estate since 2015. General licences permit certain activities and do not require a licence application, provided the conditions of the general licence are met. Restrictions prevent the use of the general licences concerned.

Arrests made regarding illegal dumping of waste

On 20 April 2017 the Environment Agency and police undertook dawn raids at five locations. These raids were undertaken following an investigation into illegal waste dumping.

Two persons were arrested as a result of these raids, pending further enquiries. The investigation is expected to continue for many further months.

The raids were undertaken in relation to the illegal dumping of between 20,000 and 25,000 tonnes of waste at 17 locations across the Midlands, North West and North East.