Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs

News

• Threatened species set for major funding boost
• Largest ever Government investment in threatened species recovery
• Stronger protections to help protect threatened wild birds
• New plans to reshape how we protect and manage our land
• New measures to help woodlands through improved deer management
• 150 countries approve a new blueprint for business action on nature
• RFS welcomes grey squirrel policy statement
• UK’s first-ever plan to tackle 'forever chemicals'
• Millions in water company fines to power local-led restoration
• New national forest in the OxCam Corridor moves a step closer
• Environmental regulation reform requires strategic approach
• Nature Restoration Fund to accelerate housebuilding and improve nature
• Endangered species seized in wildlife smuggling crackdown
• A greener and more prosperous future with new Environmental Improvement Plan
• Nation to benefit from two new national forests backed by £1 billion investment in tree planting
• Farmers need long-term support and certainty to continue providing sustainable food that helps to restore nature
• Threatened species and precious habitats to be better protected with new funding boost for overseas conservation projects
• New report gives a vital boost to access in England
• Government takes action to protect bees from pesticides
• UK introduces landmark legislation to protect world’s ocean
• Burning banned on England’s deep peat to protect wildlife
• Reaction: If reforms are to succeed, they must show that planning can be both pro-nature and pro-growth
• Environmental reforms to break planning system gridlock
• Government publishes plan to address presence of chemicals from pet flea and tick treatments in UK waterways
• Thames21’s response to the Independent Water Commission report led by Sir Jon Cunliffe
• Ofwat to be abolished in biggest overhaul of water since privatisation
• UK Government amendments on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill – a welcome step forward, but not the end of the road
• UK and France pledge joint funding for international biodiversity
• Toxic lead ammunition banned to protect Britain’s countryside
• Government to invest over £100m in water company fines to local environmental projects
• Badger TB vaccinations increase to a record high
• Environment Secretary leads a new push with business to restore nature
• Positive news for wildlife-friendly farming, but Defra spending settlement still leaves challenges for nature recovery
• Government proposes to extend ban on destructive bottom trawling
• Government's new law sees unfair bonuses banned for six water companies with immediate effect
• Boost for woodlands as research to tackle plant pests & diseases
• Government amendment to Planning Bill threatens nature and infrastructure delivery
• Charities challenge Ministers: fix the Planning Bill, or nature will pay the price
• Major reforms to environmental regulation to boost growth and protect nature
• Reed: Sewage spill data a “disgrace”
• New world-leading nature finance standards launched to encourage green investment
• Nature boost: Government launches first action plan on pesticides in a decade
• Government ambition to end sewage discharges into Windermere
• COP16 concludes in Rome with a landmark agreement to mobilise resources for people and nature
• UK sets out biodiversity commitments to protect nature
• Derbyshire Wildlife Trust part of ambitious partnership to enhance, restore and create vital wildlife habitats in the Trent Valley
• Government launches “national conversation” on land use
• Government to clean up communities with deposit return scheme for plastic bottles and cans
• Buglife applauds Government decision to refuse the use of a banned pesticide in 2025
• Planning proposals to unblock vital infrastructure and drive nature’s recovery
• £15m investment in research to help UK prepare for climate change
• Government steps in to save historic rights of way from being lost to the nation
• Protected landscapes to be strengthened with new legislation and guidance to protect nature
• Cuts raise questions over commitments to National Parks
• Nature-friendly farming budget escapes cuts but leaves Defra with important decisions to make
• Special Representative for Nature appointed in landmark first
• Landmark legislation to crack down on bosses for polluting water
• Government to end badger cull with new TB eradication strategy
• Free the beaver! A new vision for beavers in England and Wales
• HTA calls on rapid review of environmental targets to recognise the value of horticulture
• Government launches rapid review to meet Environment Act targets
• LGA responds to NAO report on biodiversity net gain
• Risks to the long-term effectiveness of new biodiversity net gain scheme
• Record number of new bathing sites get the go ahead
• Government to fund 180 local projects to boost water quality
• UK helps secure progress towards new legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution
• UK-wide ban on wet wipes containing plastic to be put into law
• New multi-million pound action plan launched to protect the River Wye
• Reaction: Government response to protected site management review welcomed
• Government response to Independent Review on Dartmoor published
• Crackdown on water firms sees millions invested into local action
• Rural community green spaces to be rejuvenated through new government investment
• Freshwater? Reviving England’s polluted rivers
• Bottom towed fishing gear prohibited over reef habitats in 13 marine protected areas
• Payment rates increased to benefit farmers, land managers & trees
• Thousands of species set to benefit from new government funding
• New government-backed nature funding platform sees first corporate donations in major step for green finance
• Hedgerow regulations to be brought into law to protect wildlife
• 40 projects to benefit from £25 million funding for natural flood management
• New works supercharge precious peatland on England’s first ‘Super’ National Nature Reserve
• Government underlines commitment to British farmers
• Vital new wetland habitat protected with announcement of a new King’s National Nature Reserve
• New Forest for the Nation competition launched
• Government backs Bill to clamp down on livestock worrying
• Nature recovery to be accelerated as the government delivers on measures to protect land and sea
• Newly-released figures from Defra reveal huge scale of an issue blighting rural communities in England
• Storm overflows monitoring hits 100% target
• Thousands of green jobs created thanks to government nature fund, new report finds
• Government pledges to boost Britain’s access to nature ahead of COP28
• New forest for the nation to improve access to green space
• UK Biosecurity and innovation boosted with new funding award
• Environmental principles duty comes into force
• No Government strategy on controversial species reintroduction
• Simpler recycling collections and tougher regulation to reform waste system
• Mendip Hills to be declared a “super” National Nature Reserve
• New bans and restrictions on polluting single-use plastics come into force
• Reaction: Government to delay implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain
• Biodiversity Net Gain moves step closer with timetable set out
• Government gives £1 million boost to Forestry skills training
• UK pushes protections for international marine biodiversity
• Nature recovery to be accelerated in England’s Protected Landscapes
• Thousands of hectares of peatlands set to be restored to help tackle climate change
• Biodiversity Net Gain moves a step closer with more funding
• Nature recovery projects to boost wildlife and access to nature
• ‘Polluters must pay’ says Environment Secretary, as unlimited penalties unveiled
• Putting nature on road to recovery with Species Survival Fund
• New investment in peat in fight against climate change
• Government seeks views to improve hedgerow protections
• Support for farmers to access investment to drive nature recovery
• £40 million biodiversity research programme opens for applications
• Coffey: We’re listening and making ELMs work for upland farmers
• First national Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code launched
• New funding for farmers to protect the English landscape
• Investment to boost community tree cover across parts of England
• RHS and Defra call on the public to become citizen scientists and help monitor tree health
• Giant boost for nature in Yorkshire Dales as charity plans huge native woodland
• Rural communities up and down the country set to benefit from funding to support rural business and create jobs
• New plan for cleaner and more plentiful water
• Green Finance Boost for Nature in UK
• National green social prescribing assessment
• UK proposes measures to protect England’s much loved seabirds
• Highly Protected Marine Areas to be designated in English waters
• New strategy launched to protect biodiversity and economy from non-native species
• New climate change hub launched for forestry sector
• Coffey: Water companies – ‘Show us your improvement plans’
• Improvements made to the Tree Health Pilot following a successful first year
• Ambitious roadmap for a cleaner, greener country
• Thérèse Coffey: Farmers central to food production and environmental action
• UK takes further action to protect vital marine habitats
• Trees and woodlands provide over £400m each year in fight against flooding, new study finds
• New biosecurity strategy to protect food security, trade and plant health
• New legally binding environment targets set out
• COP15 - UK nature agencies set out vision to restore nature to avoid ‘profound threat to humanity’s future’
• England’s treasured island seabird populations to be protected with new government funding
• UK leads the way on ending plastic pollution
• Update on progress on Environmental Targets
• Public urged to defend nature as new policies threaten nature, climate and food security
• Government reiterates commitment to environmental protections
• £110m fund to level up rural communities unveiled
• Projects of Landscape Recovery scheme announced
• New guidance on mitigating the impact of avian influenza in wild birds
• Sale of horticultural peat to be banned in move to protect England’s precious peatlands
• Toughest targets ever introduced will crack down on sewage spills
• RSPB warns of nature disaster as Tory leadership rhetoric targets laws that protect wildlife
• New National Trail status awarded for popular Coast to Coast route
• Major expansion of woodlands for communities across England
• Major expansion of woodlands for communities across England
• New legislation to crack down on illegal hare coursing now in force
• Government set out new plans to supposedly reduce water pollution
• Bees’ Needs Week buzzes into action
• UK escalates support for global marine environment at UN Ocean Conference
• Forestry Commission Key Performance Indicators: Report for 2021-22
• 50 projects receive up to £100,000 to boost investment in nature
• Woodland projects across England to receive funding for jobs, training and increasing tree cover
• Five landmark nature recovery projects launched to protect wildlife and improve public access to nature
• Public urged to help bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• ‘Wonder Weevil’ released in fight against invasive floating pennywort
• Environmental Principles Policy Statement published
• Investigation into government’s actions to combat waste crime in England
• Parliamentary group launches major report into rural economy
• New pilot requirement for tree suppliers announced to strengthen UK biosecurity
• Rhetoric masks meagre nature recovery plans – The Wildlife Trusts say Government targets must aim higher
• Delivering on the Environment Act: new targets announced and ambitious plans for nature recovery
• UK backs ambitious global action to tackle plastic pollution
• Applications for the Landscape Recovery scheme now open
• New drive to promote woodland creation grants for landowners
• Ambitious proposals to strengthen our protected landscapes announced
• Protecting and enhancing the environment to be at the heart of new housing and infrastructure developments
• “Radical” rhetoric of farming reform promising, but lack of details and urgency still puts nature at risk, says UK nature charities
• Government unveils plans to restore 300,000 hectares of habitat across England
• General licenses, updated information
• Statistical Digest of Rural England and Rural economic bulletin
• New legislation to crack down on cruel illegal hare coursing
• Plans to phase out the use of peat in the amateur horticulture sector
• UN report praises UK efforts on wildlife and forest crime
• Birds, bees, and butterflies suffer as Brexit farming promises broken today
• Millions of funding for projects in England to plant hundreds of thousands of trees
• Water companies could face legal action after investigation launched into sewage treatment works
• Long-awaited Environment Act passed
• World-leading Environment Act becomes law
• $12 billion donor support to halt and reverse forest loss and protect land rights
• Policy Paper
• Extra funding to create jobs, expand woodlands and protect trees
• UK's path to net zero set out in landmark strategy
• A boost for bees as Defra works with beekeepers to implement the Healthy Bees Plan 2030
• Riverbanks and watercourses to be planted with new woodland
• RSPCA dismay as targets for killing badgers are increased despite government pledge to stop
• £9 million fund for local authorities to tackle air pollution
• Landmark Environment Bill strengthened to halt biodiversity loss by 2030
• Thousands of hectares of vital peatland to be restored to help tackle climate change and protect biodiversity
• Read the NFU response to the beaver reintroduction consultation launch
• The Wildlife Trusts welcome golden opportunity for beavers to be wild
• Landmark consultation launched on the reintroduction of beavers in England
• Government scales up support to protect the world’s ocean with multimillion boost for marine recovery
• Multi-million pound boost for green jobs and nature recovery
• New Community Forest created in the North East to support a greener future
• Innovative nature projects awarded funding to drive private investment
• Buzzing for Bees’ Needs Week 2021
• Forestry Commission acts on bark beetle tree pest
• Update to the Agricultural Transition Plan in England and Institute response
• Government sets out commitments to biodiversity and sustainability in G7 Nature Compact
• Dismay as DEFRA fails to set target to halt decline of nature
• Government sets out marine commitments to mark World Ocean Day
• Public urged to Plant For Our Planet in a new campaign launched today
• New Tree Health Pilot to launch this summer
• Response: Government approves badger culling to 2026 and ignores public consultation
• Government sets out next phase of strategy to combat bovine tuberculosis in England
• CLA welcomes the return of the Environment Bill ahead of it becoming law in Autumn
• Environment Bill continues through Parliament
• 10p plastic bag charge introduced in England
• Tree planting rates to treble by end of this Parliament
• UK to lead the way on animal welfare through flagship new Action Plan
• 44,000 trees to be planted as Urban Tree Challenge Fund reopens
• New plans unveiled to boost recycling
• 10p plastic bag charge to come into force on 21 May
• Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme
• Greater protection for sweet chestnut trees in England
• Public urged to ‘GIVE SEALS SPACE’
• Plans announced to phase out lead ammunition in bid to protect wildlife
• Government unveils plans for wide-ranging Waste Prevention Programme
• New tree fund for local communities announced
• Farmers invited to take part in first step towards a greener future
• Government on course to weaken post-Brexit environmental principles
• Consultation launched on environmental principles
• £40m second round of the Green Recovery Challenge Fund opens for applications
• Interim Office for Environmental Protection to be launched
• Time is running out: Government must “move on from aspirational words” and start “taking the hard decisions”
• England’s ‘national rainforests’ to be protected by new rules
• Reported in the Telegraph: Boris Johnson’s flagship Environment Bill is to be delayed by at least six months, after ministers ran out of time to pass it in Parliament.
• Taskforce sets goal to end pollution from storm overflows
• Gene editing creates potential to protect the nation’s environment, pollinators and wildlife
• Defra response to coverage on banning supertrawlers and pulse fishing
• New sites to test how connecting people with nature can improve mental health
• Countryside Code under review
• 500 hectare planting boost for England’s Community Forests
• £3.9 million to drive innovative tree planting
• Government unveils path to sustainable farming from 2021
• Flagship Fisheries Bill becomes law
• 134,000 trees to be planted through Urban Tree Challenge Fund
• £80 million fund for green jobs and new national parks to kick start green recovery
• Extension of seabird haven to benefit 15,000 birds
• New national parks and thousands of green jobs under plans to build back greener
• Government sets out world-leading new measures to protect rainforests
• National Trust's reaction to the Agricultural Bill
• Landmark Agriculture Bill becomes law
• New general licences for the control of wild birds
• Defra launches the Healthy Bees Plan 2030 to help protect honey bees
• Review of gamebird releases on and around European protected sites
• Defra concludes its review into releasing gamebirds on and around protected sites
• Green social prescribing pilots open for applications
• Single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cotton bud sticks banned in England from today
• PM commits to protect 30% of UK land in boost for biodiversity
• Outdoor use of metaldehyde to be banned to protect wildlife
• Wildlife protection plan to unlock Hampshire housebuilding
• Asian hornet identified in Hampshire
• A record-breaking year for hen harrier breeding
• War on plastic waste stepped up with extension of plastic bag charge
• Defra’s proposed new law to curb deforestation is seriously flawed
• Success as UK Government is compelled to act on overseas deforestation
• World-leading new law to protect rainforests and clean up supply chains
• Third Woodland Carbon Guarantee auction now open for applications
• National Trust responds to Government proposals to underpin environmental commitments with legally binding targets
• Legally binding targets to help “build back greener”
• Government says beavers can stay in their Devon home
• Engaging with communities key to success of 25 Year Environment Plan as Land Trust responds to DEFRA consultation on Environmental Land Management
• Circular economy measures drive forward ambitious plans for waste
• Green light for ground-breaking bovine TB vaccine field trials
• Defra report features Westcountry research on health benefits of being by the sea
• Multi-billion pound investment as government unveils new long-term plan to tackle flooding
• Green recovery at the heart of this year’s Bees’ Needs Week
• Boost for picturesque landscapes as Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty extended
• Government announces £40 million green jobs challenge fund
• Statement following DEFRA’s latest announcement on General Licences
• Six general licences re-issued for the control of wild birds
• 'Drink and drop' - new survey reveals a nation of thirsty litterers
• Independent review backs introduction of Highly Protected Marine Areas
• Green projects given support to attract private sector investment
• Buglife’s B-Lines will put a buzz back into Berkshire‘s towns and countryside
• Funding boost to crack down on the Illegal Wildlife Trade
• Bovine TB: badger vaccination and culling in England’s Edge Areas
• Marian Spain appointed new Natural England chief executive
• Strict new controls to protect the UK’s trees and plants against damaging threats
• Defra asks court to dismiss Wild Justice judicial review
• Coronavirus – Guidance on access to green spaces
• Local authorities get £2.2 million boost to tackle air pollution
• £1 million to support transition to future farming system
• Wildlife and Countryside Link response to the shift in Government's bovine TB strategy
• Government sets out next phase of strategy to combat bovine tuberculosis
• Government’s ambition to enhance the environment takes crucial step forward
• Eustice unveils plans for future greener farming
• Defra sets out review into releasing gamebirds on protected sites
• Thousands of trees to be planted in England's towns and cities
• Flagship Agriculture Bill moves a step forward
• National Trust response to the new Environment Bill
• Reaction: Environment and Fisheries Bills published today - an important first step towards wildlife recovery
• Environment Bill sets out vision for a greener future
• Natural capital tool launched to help protect the environment
• Ash dieback project launches International Year of Plant Health
• Agriculture Bill to boost environment and food production
• Time to step up and save our ocean