The Environmental Permitting Programme (EPP) is a better regulation initiative designed to reduce costs for business and regulators whilst maintaining levels of protection for the environment and human health. The Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Environment Agency have recently consulted on draft Environmental Permitting Regulations, which would introduce a streamlined environmental permitting and compliance system in England and Wales (Second consultation on proposals for a streamlined environmental permitting and compliance system (www.defra.gov.uk/environment/epp). We are carefully considering and analysing the responses to this consultation.

Guidance relating to the proposed new system is currently being developed to ensure it is ready in time and is fit for purpose. We are now consulting stakeholders about their views on the form and general content of this draft guidance. Please note that this draft is not necessarily final in all its details and will be made so in the light of developments in the course of this year. The final version of the guidance is intended to be ready for the envisaged coming into force of the Environmental Permitting Regulations in April 2008.