Part 1: Environmental Governance Chapter 1: Improving the natural environment Section 13: Renewing environmental improvement plans
Section 13 provides for the Secretary of State to replace the environmental improvement plan (EIP) with a renewed version, and what the Secretary of State must consider as part of this process. Given section 8(6), this section applies only in relation to England.
	Subsection (1) requires the Secretary of State to prepare a new EIP before the end date of the existing EIP.
	Subsection (2) requires the new EIP to cover a period that starts no later than immediately after the end of an existing EIP, ensuring there is no gap between EIPs.
	Subsection (3) requires the Secretary of State to publish and lay before Parliament the new EIP on or in advance of the end date of the existing EIP.
	Subsection (4) specifies when the new EIP begins. At its earliest, this will be when the EIP has been laid before Parliament and published, but it can be later if the period to which the EIP relates begins after this date.
	The provisions in sections 13 to 15 allow for plans to be completely replaced (as distinct to sections 10 to 12, which allow for the amendment of existing plans). It is anticipated that future governments may choose to renew EIPs before they reach the end of their lifetime to enable them to include longer term actions.