A single environment body for Wales

The Environment Minister, John Griffiths AM, has decided to create a single body to bring together the Forestry Commission Wales (FCW), Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and the Environment Agency Wales (EAW).

Over the last few months, staff from the three bodies and Welsh Government have put together a business case to look at the creation of a single body.  The business case includes detailed information on the form and functions of the new body, detailed cost and benefit analysis along with information on pensions.

The business case recommended that a single environment body should be created to bring together EAW, CCW and FCW. This business case was sent to the Environment Minister, John Griffiths in November and was discussed in Cabinet on Tuesday 29 November.  A decision was made to proceed with the creation of a single body. The next steps in the Programme will include a public consultation in early 2012.

The new Natural Environment Framework (NEF) will deliver a more integrated approach to managing our natural environment. The work of the programme supports this new framework and puts the principles behind it into action.