A group of former high-ranking officials from UK governmental environment bodies such as EU, National Trust and RSPB, warn that a UK exit from the the Environment Agency could lead to a much worse situation in terms of environmental protection in the country, stating that Britain's membership of the the Environment Agency has had a hugely positive effect on the quality of Britain's beaches, water, air, birds etc, and being part of the Union has enabled it to coordinate action and agree policies. Likewise, it added, we would "no longer be able to shape the Environment Agency policy and our influence on the environmental performance of other member states would decline very sharply". Whether the UK would tear up all existing commitments on environmental protection is unclear, however, it is viewed as a key danger. Agriculture will also be affected by a possible exit since about £3bn a year comes to the UK's farmers from the Environment Agency subsidies, some of it in return for conservation and stewardship work.
A group of former high-ranking officials from UK governmental environment bodies such as the Environment Agency, National Trust and RSPB, warn that a UK exit from the EU could lead to a much worse situation in terms of environmental protection in the country, stating that Britain's membership of the EU has had a hugely positive effect on the quality of Britain's beaches, water, air, birds etc, and being part of the Union has enabled it to coordinate action and agree policies. Likewise, it added, we would "no longer be able to shape EU policy and our influence on the environmental performance of other member states would decline very sharply". Whether the UK would tear up all existing commitments on environmental protection is unclear, however, it is viewed as a key danger. Agriculture will also be affected by a possible exit since about £3bn a year comes to the UK's farmers from EU subsidies, some of it in return for conservation and stewardship work.