Britain is becoming a toxic chemical dumping ground - yet another benefit of Brexit | George Monbiot

Perhaps our government imagines bulldog spirit will protect us from the dangerous substances that Europe rules unsafeIt's a benefit of Brexit - but only if you're a manufacturer or distributor of toxic chemicals. For the rest of us, it's another load we have to carry on behalf of the shysters and corner-cutters who lobbied for the UK to leave the EU.The government insisted on a separate regulatory system for chemicals. At first sight, it's senseless: chemical regulation is extremely complicated and expensive. Why replicate an EU system that costs many millions of euros and employs a small army of scientists and administrators? Why not simply adopt as UK standards the decisions it makes? After all, common regulatory standards make trading with the rest of Europe easier. Well, now we know. A separate system allows the UK to become a dumping ground for the chemicals that Europe rules unsafe.George Monbiot is a Guardian columnistJoin George Monbiot for a Guardian Live online event on Wednesday 8 May 2024 at 8pm BST. He will be talking about his new book, The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism. Book tickets here Continue reading...