DEFRA

All the latest news from DEFRA

DEFRA

Government to introduce legislation on High Seas Treaty by end of year

• Bill to be introduced by end of year to enable ratification of the treaty

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DEFRA

£13.6 million to help families and charities reap benefits of surplus farm produce

Grants to ensure more than 19,000 tonnes of surplus food will be redistributed to homeless shelters, food banks and charities

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DEFRA

Government proposes to extend ban on destructive bottom trawling

Government proposals to ban bottom trawling in more vulnerable marine habitats aim to protect important and rare underwater life.

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DEFRA

Policy paper: Process for introducing ‘not for EU’ labelling for goods sold in Great Britain

This policy paper explains the decision-making process to introduce obligatory ‘not for EU’ labelling for specific products sold in Great

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DEFRA

Policy paper: ‘Not for EU’ labelling in GB: Concordat between the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments

A concordat to ensure the continuing supply of goods to Northern Ireland.

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DEFRA

Rabies in bats: how to spot it and report it

Signs that may suggest rabies in bats, what to do if you spot them and measures to prevent exposing yourself

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DEFRA

Statistics at Defra

We publish national and official statistics relating to the environment, rural communities, food, farming and biosecurity.

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DEFRA

APHA animal surveillance reports, publications and dashboards

Access APHA reports, videos, publications and data on livestock, wildlife and small animals in England and Wales.

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DEFRA

Guidance: Import of live animals returned to Great Britain – IIN RATC/2

Guidance for vets, importers and border control officials when importing live animals that are being returned to Great Britain.

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DEFRA

Government funds scheme to tackle on-farm drought risk

Fully funded expert-led studies to assess water security on farms open for applications.

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DEFRA

Transparency data: UK-New Zealand sanitary agreement – joint management committee minutes

Summary minutes from meetings of the joint management committee (JMC) for the sanitary agreement between the UK and New Zealand.

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DEFRA

Reforms to bolster flood protection for communities across the country

Delivering on the government’s Plan for Change, proposals will introduce a simplified approach benefitting poorer communities and speeding up project

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DEFRA

Flood and coastal erosion funding reform

We are consulting on flood and coastal erosion funding rules and are calling for evidence on alternative sources of funding

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DEFRA

Species-rich grassland: indicator species

Find the plant species that are typical of the grassland type on your land parcel for help with action GRH6:

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DEFRA

Research: Avian influenza (bird flu) in Brazil

Preliminary and updated outbreak assessments for avian influenza (bird flu) in Brazil.

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DEFRA

Research: UKGLE advice on native breed conservation

The UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines (UKGLE) Committee’s advice on native breed conservation.

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DEFRA

Research: UK breeds at risk from exotic animal disease outbreaks

Farm animal genetic resources (FAnGR) list of at-risk breeds of cattle, horses and ponies, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry; criteria

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DEFRA

Decision: Disposal of single-use vapes: 2025 ministerial direction

A ministerial direction for local authorities relating to the disposal of single-use vapes.

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DEFRA

Single-use vapes banned from 1 June 2025

Under the Government’s Plan for Change, move will stop the flood of litter on to nation’s streets and protect young

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DEFRA

Historic Garden of England protected with new sparkling National Nature Reserve

Eighth Kings Series National Nature Reserve to be announced

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DEFRA

Decision: Lincolnshire Reservoir Project: Section 35 Direction, Planning Act 2008

Direction by Secretary of State relating to the proposed Lincolnshire Reservoir Project, Anglian Water Services Limited.

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DEFRA

Single-use vapes ban: what businesses need to do

Guidance for businesses preparing for the ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes from 1 June 2025.

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DEFRA

Peter Unwin CB named as Natural England Deputy Chair

Peter Unwin CB named as new Deputy Chair of the government’s statutory advisor on nature

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DEFRA

Report fraud to Defra

You can report fraud, bribery and corruption against the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

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DEFRA

Decision: Fens Reservoir Project: Section 35 Direction, Planning Act 2008

Direction by Secretary of State relating to the proposed Fens Reservoir Project, Anglian Water Services Limited and Cambridge Water PLC.

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DEFRA

Guidance: Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2025

Apply for a FETF grant for help to buy items that improve productivity, manage slurry and improve animal health and

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DEFRA

Government steps in to build first major reservoirs in 30 years

New reservoirs will supply three quarters of a million homes and unlock the building of tens of thousands more as

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DEFRA

Official Statistics: UK farm animal genetic resources (FAnGR): breed inventory results

Annual statistics on farm animal genetic resources in the United Kingdom.

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DEFRA

£30M Boost for Farmers Leading the Way in Nature Restoration

Thousands of farmers will get a payment boost for restoring habitats and protecting landscapes.

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DEFRA

Biodiversity net gain for nationally significant infrastructure projects

We are seeking views on the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).

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DEFRA

Improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain for minor, medium and brownfield development

We are seeking views on improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for minor, medium and brownfield development.

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DEFRA

Correspondence: Elephant welfare in zoos in Great Britain

Letters relating to elephant welfare in zoos in Great Britain.

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DEFRA

Animal welfare rules in British zoos set for major overhaul

New Zoo Standards will enhance welfare and protections for animals in Great Britain’s zoos and aquariums.

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DEFRA

Check if your item from an endangered species is a worked specimen

Check if your item is a ‘worked specimen’ and does not need an Article 10 certificate for commercial use of

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DEFRA

Research: Methodology Note: Assessing the long-run growth impact of a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Agreement

This paper explains the modelling approach used by the Department for Business and Trade for analysing the long-run GDP impacts

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DEFRA

Bird flu: rules in disease control zones in England

Find bird flu disease control zones and the rules you must follow in each zone.

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DEFRA

Bird flu (avian influenza): housing your birds safely

Manage your birds’ housing and welfare when they must be kept inside because of disease outbreaks.

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DEFRA

Record 81 criminal investigations launched into water companies under Government crackdown

New crackdown is the largest criminal action against water companies in history.

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DEFRA

Bathing water season in England begins as applications re-open

The Environment Agency will be testing water quality more than 7000 times during the season

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DEFRA

Ivory: apply for an exemption certificate to deal in pre-1918 outstandingly high artistic, cultural or historical value items

Find out if your ivory item may qualify for the pre-1918 outstandingly high artistic, cultural or historical value exemption, how

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DEFRA

Labelling requirements for certain products moving from Great Britain to retail premises in Northern Ireland under the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme

Labelling rules for businesses in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and retailers in Northern Ireland, for certain agri-food products

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DEFRA

Policy paper: Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers: policy statement

Update on the Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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DEFRA

Common user charge: rates, eligibility and invoices

Common user charge rates and how the charge applies to imports entering Great Britain through the Port of Dover and

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DEFRA

Funding for farmers, growers and land managers

Apply for grants and other funding to increase productivity, manage your land to benefit the environment and support your agricultural

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DEFRA

Form: Women’s land army and timber corps: veteran’s badge application form

Application form for a Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps veteran’s badge.

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DEFRA

Research: Specialised Committee on Fisheries: UK and EU reports of expert workshops

Summary of expert workshops held under the Specialised Committee on Fisheries

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DEFRA

Guidance: Lists of recognised non-UK breed societies and breeding operations

Recognised non-UK breed societies for bovine, ovine, porcine, equine and caprine species.

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DEFRA

£50 million equipment and technology grants to boost food production and farm profitability

Grants will support farmers to invest in equipment and access technology, helping to boost profits, production and nature.

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DEFRA

Bluetongue guidance for shows and events in England

This guidance only applies to movements of bluetongue susceptible animals. Non-susceptible animals may attend shows as normal.

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DEFRA

Decision: Coastal access: Section 52 notice for Bawdsey to Aldeburgh

This notice sets out the Secretary of State’s decision to approve part of the proposals for improving coastal access between

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DEFRA

Guidance: Cage-trap, vaccinate and mark badgers to control bovine TB

Advice for licensed operators on how to cage-trap, vaccinate and mark badgers to control bovine tuberculosis (TB) in England.

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DEFRA

Councils to seize and crush fly-tipping vehicles to clean up Britain

Waste criminals, fly-tippers and cowboy waste operators to have vehicles seized and crushed

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DEFRA

Guidance: Fish oil (not for human consumption) – Import Information Notes

Guidance for vets, importers and border control officials when importing fish oil that is not for human consumption to Great

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DEFRA

Research: Bird flu (avian influenza): findings in non-avian wildlife

Confirmed findings of influenza of avian origin in non-avian wild mammals.

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DEFRA

Polluting water bosses face up to two years in prison

New laws in force today mark the toughest sentencing powers against law-breaking water executives in history.

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DEFRA

Guidance: Register as an authorised person to get a licence to cage trap badgers privacy notice

How Defra processes your personal data when you register as an authorised person to get a licence to cage-trap badgers.

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DEFRA

Statutory guidance: Licences to cage-trap and mark badgers for bovine TB vaccination

Register for licences to cage-trap and mark badgers (Meles meles) for vaccinating them against bovine tuberculosis (TB) to help prevent

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DEFRA

Surface water pollution risk assessment for your environmental permit

How to carry out a risk assessment if you are applying for a bespoke permit that includes discharging hazardous chemicals

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DEFRA

Statutory guidance: Movement Assistance Scheme: terms and conditions

Official veterinarians and certifiers must follow these terms and conditions for claims made under the Movement Assistance Scheme (MAS).

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DEFRA

Move animals from the bluetongue restricted zone to a market

Licences to move animals to market from a bluetongue restricted zone.

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DEFRA

Environmental permit reforms to empower regulators to slash business red tape

UK and Welsh Governments launch joint consultation to reform environmental permitting regulations, supporting UK Government’s Plan for Change

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DEFRA

Statutory guidance: Pet food and feed for other animals – Import Information Notes

Statutory guidance for vets, importers and border control officials when importing pet food and feed for other animals, including fish

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DEFRA

Carrier bag charges: retailers’ responsibilities

Find out when you must charge a minimum of 10 pence for single-use carrier bags, bags you’re not required to

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DEFRA

England’s non-woodland trees freely mapped for first time

England’s trees outside woodlands have been mapped by satellite and laser are freely available for first time revealing they make

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DEFRA

Major reforms to environmental regulation to boost growth and protect nature

Government reforms will streamline and modernise regulation to unlock growth, deliver 1.5 million homes and do more for nature under

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DEFRA

Corporate report: Delivering economic growth and nature recovery: an independent review of Defra’s regulatory landscape

Dan Corry’s review examines whether Defra’s regulatory landscape (the regulators and regulations) is fit for purpose in driving both economic

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DEFRA

Comply with UK REACH: submit and manage chemical registrations and notifications

Use this service to submit and manage chemical registrations and notifications.

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DEFRA

Guidance: Create an organisation account on the Comply with UK REACH service

You’ll need to create a Government Gateway account to access the Comply with UK REACH service.

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DEFRA

New rules simplifying recycling for workplaces in England come into force

New regulations requiring businesses to separate recycling from waste come into effect

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DEFRA

£16 million boost to improve flood protection for farmers and rural communities

Additional funding for internal drainage boards (IDBs) to boost farm and rural flood resilience, bringing total IDB Fund to £91

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DEFRA

Government to build over 1,000 flood schemes across the country

Schemes supported as part of record £2.65 billion two-year investment to protect communities from flooding

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DEFRA

New proposals to ban heather burning on peatland to protect air, water and wildlife

Extension to ban of burning on deep peat proposed by Government, so that an extra 146,000 hectares are protected

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DEFRA

Reed pledges to “end throwaway society” working with business to slash waste, boost growth and clean up Britain

In front of industry titans, Environment Secretary Steve Reed to outline plan to cut waste across industry as part of

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DEFRA

Tony Juniper CBE reappointed to continue protecting nature and boosting growth as Natural England Chair

His reappointment comes as Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, is rewiring and reforming Defra and its arm’s-length bodies to unlock growth

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DEFRA

Foot and Mouth disease detected in Slovakia

The UK Chief Veterinary Officer is urging livestock keepers to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of FMD following the

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DEFRA

Policy paper: UK Pesticides National Action Plan 2025

This plan sets out the priorities of the 4 UK governments for the sustainable management of pests, weeds and diseases.

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DEFRA

Government to plant first National Forest in 30 years

20 million trees are to be planted across Bristol, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset by 2050.

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DEFRA

Report your use of the bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccine

Use this service to report using the BTV-3 vaccine in England or Wales.

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DEFRA

Nature boost: Government launches first action plan on pesticides in a decade

The UK Pesticides National Action Plan sets out how the Government will work collaboratively with farmers to minimise the impacts

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DEFRA

Accredited Trusted Trader Scheme pilot

Information on the pilot scheme for importing medium-risk products to Great Britain.

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DEFRA

UK and Faroe Islands reach agreement on fishing opportunities for 2025

UK secures over 2,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities through annual negotiations with the Faroe Islands, valued at £5 million

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DEFRA

Controls of fish and shellfish diseases in England and Wales

Reduce the risk of disease and find out where listed diseases have been confirmed in England and Wales

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DEFRA

Decision: UK REACH authorisation for SEA (Technical Consortium), 20 February 2025

Decision on application for authorisation for Surface Engineering Association (SEA) under UK REACH.

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DEFRA

Decision: UK REACH authorisation for SEA (Legacy Parts Consortium), 20 February 2025

Decision on application for authorisation for Surface Engineering Association (SEA) under UK REACH.

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DEFRA

Decision: UK REACH authorisation for SEA (Sanitaryware Consortium), 20 February 2025

Decision on application for authorisation for Surface Engineering Association (SEA) under UK REACH.

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DEFRA

Wholesale fruit and vegetable prices

Series of fortnightly average wholesale market prices of selected home grown horticultural produce.

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DEFRA

Just two weeks to go for many businesses to submit 2024 packaging data for pEPR

Obligated businesses must submit 2024 packaging data by 1 April 2025 under new extended producer responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme

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DEFRA

Legal operator and competence requirements: environmental permits

Find out the legal, financial and professional requirements for operators and managers, including extra duties for waste activity operators.

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DEFRA

Policy paper: Fisheries: bilateral agreement with the Faroe Islands for 2025

Agreed record of the annual consultations held between the UK and the Faroe Islands for fishing opportunities in 2025.

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DEFRA

Certification Logistics Pilot: import requirements

Guidance on the import requirements for businesses participating in the pilot, including guidance for certifying officers.

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