Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

We are the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people’s day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

Angela Eagle
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Tim Farron (LD - Westmorland and Lonsdale)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Conservative
Victoria Atkins (Con - Louth and Horncastle)
Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Liberal Democrat
Baroness Grender (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Scottish National Party
Seamus Logan (SNP - Aberdeenshire North and Moray East)
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Green Party
Adrian Ramsay (Green - Waveney Valley)
Green Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Robbie Moore (Con - Keighley and Ilkley)
Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Lord Blencathra (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Lord Roborough (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Neil Hudson (Con - Epping Forest)
Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Aphra Brandreth (Con - Chester South and Eddisbury)
Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Ministers of State
Emma Hardy (Lab - Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice)
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab - Life peer)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Stephen Morgan (Lab - Portsmouth South)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Lab - Suffolk Coastal)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Tuesday 10th November 2026
Select Committee Docs
Wednesday 4th November 2026
00:01
Select Committee Inquiry
Wednesday 18th March 2026
Land use and nature

The UK Government has set numerous goals related to habitat restoration under the Environmental Improvement Plan, much of which of …

Written Answers
Tuesday 10th November 2026
River Trent: Sewage
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to reduce …
Secondary Legislation
Thursday 29th October 2026
Sea Fisheries (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026
These Regulations make amendments to assimilated law in the field of sea fisheries. They also make a transitional provision.
Bills and Acts
Wednesday 4th September 2024
Water (Special Measures) Act 2025
A Bill to make provision about the regulation, governance and special administration of water companies.
Dept. Publications
Tuesday 10th November 2026
18:05

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Oct. 22
Oral Questions
Sep. 15
Urgent Questions
Nov. 10
Written Statements
Nov. 10
Westminster Hall
Oct. 28
Adjournment Debate
View All Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament


A Bill to make provision about the regulation, governance and special administration of water companies.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 24th February 2025 and was enacted into law.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Secondary Legislation

These Regulations make amendments to assimilated law in the field of sea fisheries. They also make a transitional provision.
These Regulations amend the Marine Licensing (Notices Appeals) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/936) (“the Principal Regulations”), which provide for appeals to be made to the First-tier Tribunal against certain notices issued under Part 4 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23).
View All Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Trending Petitions
Petition Open
33,787 Signatures
(33,057 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
41,158 Signatures
(9,395 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
14,403 Signatures
(8,303 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
9,830 Signatures
(4,685 in the last 7 days)
Petitions with most signatures
Petition Open
41,158 Signatures
(9,395 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
33,787 Signatures
(33,057 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
22,537 Signatures
(35 in the last 7 days)
Petition Debates Contributed

Create a public register of all offenders convicted of animal abuse and introduce an automatic, lifetime ban on animal ownership for anyone convicted of animal neglect or abuse. This register should be searchable by vets, breeders, charities and the public to prevent repeat offending.

Hold a binding national referendum on whether the water industry should be returned to public ownership. Water is a basic human necessity; we believe our privatised system has failed, so the public should decide who owns and controls it.

We think each year, individuals suffer because of loud fireworks. We believe horses, dogs, cats, livestock and wildlife can be terrified by noisy fireworks and many people find them intolerable.

View All Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


10 Members of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Alistair Carmichael Portrait
Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat - Orkney and Shetland)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 9th September 2024
Charlie Dewhirst Portrait
Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Sarah Bool Portrait
Sarah Bool (Conservative - South Northamptonshire)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Henry Tufnell Portrait
Henry Tufnell (Labour - Mid and South Pembrokeshire)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Josh Newbury Portrait
Josh Newbury (Labour - Cannock Chase)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Jayne Kirkham Portrait
Jayne Kirkham (Labour (Co-op) - Truro and Falmouth)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Sarah Dyke Portrait
Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Terry Jermy Portrait
Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Ben Goldsborough Portrait
Ben Goldsborough (Labour - South Norfolk)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 22nd June 2026
Helena Dollimore Portrait
Helena Dollimore (Labour (Co-op) - Hastings and Rye)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 26th October 2026
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee: Upcoming Events
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee - Oral evidence
Work of the Department and its arm’s-length bodies
11 Nov 2026, 9:30 a.m.
At 10:00am: Oral evidence
Lisa Tennant, Government's preferred candidate, Chair of the Environment Agency

View calendar - Save to Calendar
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee - Oral evidence
Climate adaptation and emergency response
17 Nov 2026, 9:30 a.m.
At 10:00am: Oral evidence
Paul Tompkins - Deputy President at National Farmers Union
Tracey Garrett - Chief Executive Officer at Flood Forum UK
Katia Sanhueza-Pino - Co-Director at Flooded People UK
At 11:00am: Oral evidence
Phil Garrigan - Chair at National Fire Chiefs Council
Councillor Matt Boughton - Chair, Safer and Stronger Communities Committee at Local Government Association
Andrew McGill - Chief Executive Officer at Water Management Consortium

View calendar - Save to Calendar
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee: Previous Inquiries
Air Quality: follow up Labour in the food supply chain The work of DEFRA COVID-19 and food supply Rural Communities Milk prices Appointment of Jonson Cox as Chair of Ofwat Dog Control and Welfare Draft Water Bill Air Quality Desinewed Meat Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Flood Funding Future Flood and Water Management Legislation Farming in the Uplands Marine Policy Statement Draft National Policy Statement on Waste Water Welfare of Laying Hens Directive—Implications for the egg industry EU proposals for the dairy sector and the future of the dairy industry Implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy: Domestic Fisheries Management Outcome of the independent Farming Regulation Task Force Draft Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill Draft National Policy Statement for Hazardous Waste EU proposals for reform of the Common Fisheries Policy Defra Annual Report and Accounts 2010-11 Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency Draft British Waterways Board (Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 and the Draft Inland Waterways Advisory Council (Abolition) Order 2012 Orders under the Public Bodies Act 2011 Bovine TB Vaccine Draft Wild Animals in Circuses Bill CAP Implementation 2014-2020 Insurance for flooding The Elliott review Primates as pets Winter Floods Pre-appointment hearing with proposed Chairman of Natural England Departmental Annual Report 2012-13 Food Security Waste management in England Rural Payments Agency Work of Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency Appointment hearing for preferred candidate for Chair of the Environment Agency Horse welfare Defra's responsibility for fracking Defra performance in 2013-14 Food security: demand, consumption and waste Food supply networks Rural broadband and digital-only services Dairy prices Work of the Committee 2010-15 CAP payments to farmers EFRA topics Dairy prices inquiry Defra performance in 2014-15 inquiry Common Agricultural Policy inquiry Defra's responsibilities for air quality inquiry Farmgate prices inquiry Beef grading prices inquiry Food waste in England inquiry Rural tourism in England inquiry Forestry in England inquiry Environment Agency Chair pre-appointment hearing Work of Defra evidence sessions Winter floods 2015-16 inquiry Future flood prevention inquiry The work of Defra inquiry Farmgate prices: follow-up evidence session Brexit: Trade in food inquiry The work of Defra inquiry Improving air quality Work of the Environment Agency inquiry 2 Sisters and Standards in Poultry Processing inquiry Fisheries inquiry Performance of the Rural Payments Agency inquiry Defra's plans to improve air quality Feeding the nation: labour constraints inquiry Post-legislative scrutiny: Flood and Water Management Act 2010 inquiry Countryside Stewardship Scheme one-off session Improving air quality joint inquiry Countryside and Environmental Stewardship schemes inquiry The new farming programme inquiry Rural broadband and digital only services inquiry General licences for controlling wild birds inquiry Environment Bill inquiry Beef prices inquiry Agriculture, achieving net-zero emissions inquiry Peatland inquiry Puppy smuggling inquiry Draft National Policy Statement for Water Resources Infrastructure inquiry Pre-appointment hearing with the Government’s preferred candidate for Chair of Natural England inquiry Plastic food and drink packaging inquiry Coastal flooding and adaptation to climate change inquiry Work of the Food Standards Agency inquiry Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair of Natural England inquiry Scrutiny of the draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill inquiry Farm Inspection and Regulation Review inquiry Dangerous Dogs: Breed Specific Legislation inquiry Regulation of the Water Industry inquiry Brand Britain: Promoting and Marketing British food and drink inquiry Proposed merger of Asda and Sainsbury’s inquiry Agriculture Bill inquiry Scrutiny of the Fisheries Bill inquiry Is Defra ready for Brexit? inquiry The Work of the Chief Veterinary Officer inquiry Work of DEFRA: Health and Harmony inquiry Work of the Rural Payments Agency inquiry Work and Role of the Groceries Code Adjudicator inquiry Fur trade in the UK inquiry Trade in sugar post-Brexit inquiry Work of the Chief Scientific Adviser: Defra inquiry Labour constraints inquiry Draft Animal Welfare Bill inquiry Air Quality Public Sector Procurement of Food Government support to the dairy sector during the COVID-19 pandemic Work of Defra Work of the Environment Agency Marine Mammals Work of the Environment Agency Pre-appointment hearing: Chair of the Environment Agency Environmental Land Management Scheme: Progress Update Food Security Species Reintroduction UK-Norway Framework Fisheries Agreement Soil Health Post-pandemic health and welfare concerns of companion animals, including abuse and mutilation Resources and Waste provisional Common Framework Pet Smuggling Tenant Farmers Fairness in the food supply chain UK trade policy: food and agriculture Urban Green Spaces Education and Careers in Land-based Sectors Common Framework on Food and Feed Safety and Hygiene Work of the Department and its Arm's Length Bodies The future of farming Reforming the water sector Fairness in the food supply chain Animal and plant health Environmental Land Management and the agricultural transition Fisheries and the marine environment Preventing waste and enabling a circular economy Climate and weather resilience Moving animals across borders COVID-19 and food supply: follow up Land use and nature Seafood and Meat Exports to the EU Agriculture Bill Agriculture, achieving net-zero emissions Proposed merger of Asda and Sainsbury’s Brand Britain: Promoting and Marketing British food and drink Coastal flooding and adaptation to climate change Countryside and Environmental Stewardship schemes General licences for controlling wild birds Is Defra ready for Brexit? Labour constraints The new farming programme Peatland Plastic food and drink packaging Puppy smuggling Rural broadband and digital only services Scrutiny of the draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill Scrutiny of the Fisheries Bill Draft National Policy Statement for Water Resources Infrastructure The work of Defra Work of the Food Standards Agency Beef prices Environment Bill

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much is the average annual payment per hectare is for agreements entered into under Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026.

The estimated mean annual payment per hectare for live Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2026 agreements is £224, as of 16th October 2026.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
27th Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government how many small abattoirs have closed in England in each of the past 10 years; what assessment they have made of the effect of those closures on livestock transport distances, animal welfare, and access to local slaughter facilities; and what steps they are taking to prevent future closures.

The Government does not hold data on the closure of small abattoirs in England, however the FSA publish monthly data on all abattoirs in England Approved Food Establishments in England and Wales. Despite facing some challenges in recent years, the abattoir network has continued to process high-quality products ensuring the supply of food and maintaining food security. All animal transport must comply fully with legal requirements aimed at protecting welfare, including minimising journey durations where possible and observing rest periods. Defra engages regularly with representatives from the small and medium-sized abattoir sector through formal groups to understand the challenges facing the industry and consider what support may be required.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to reduce sewage discharges into the River Trent and its tributaries in Nottinghamshire; and how the Government is holding water companies accountable for improving water quality and reducing pollution incidents.

Through the Sewage Overflow Programme the Environment Agency has required the water company to implement 38 projects to address overflow issues on the Trent.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether three year Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements are counted in a single year's farming budget or divided across three years of payments.

The budget for new SFI26 agreements is £310 million a year. Nearly all SFI26 agreements will last for three years, meaning the total value of new SFI26 agreements, assuming the full annual budget is spent, would be around £930 million over three years.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that proposals to bring Battery Energy Storage Systems within the Environmental Permitting Regulations include requirements for (a) effective regulatory oversight and compliance with Battery Safety Management Plans and (b) consultation with residents living in close proximity to approved Battery Energy Storage System developments on those plans.

Defra is making progress with proposals to include Battery Energy Storage Systems within the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPRs). Officials have met with a range of key stakeholders to define potential thresholds and regulatory requirements. Applications for permits under EPRs are subject to a consultation process.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential risks to food supply chains arising from cyber-attacks on large-scale remote temperature-monitoring systems used in food refrigeration and storage.

Defra is working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre and our own industry engagement forums to highlight cyber risks and raise resilience with key providers. This includes working on a range of policy approaches to ensure that significant parts of the wider food sector are aware of cyber security concepts and are taking action to understand and mitigate risks.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of discarded nitrous oxide canisters on local communities.

The Government is determined to tackle litter and anti-social behaviour that blights our communities. We have strengthened councils’ enforcement powers, increasing the maximum littering fixed penalty from £500 to £750, alongside statutory guidance to support effective enforcement.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support is available to local authorities to tackle a) littering and b) anti-social behaviour associated with nitrous oxide use.

The Government is determined to tackle litter and anti-social behaviour that blights our communities. We have strengthened councils’ enforcement powers, increasing the maximum littering fixed penalty from £500 to £750, alongside statutory guidance to support effective enforcement.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the annual cost to local authorities of a) removing and b) discarding nitrous oxide canisters.

The Government is determined to tackle litter and anti-social behaviour that blights our communities. We have strengthened councils’ enforcement powers, increasing the maximum littering fixed penalty from £500 to £750, alongside statutory guidance to support effective enforcement.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make her policy to opening the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2027 in sufficient time to allow agreements to commence from 1 April 2027.

There will be future Sustainable Farming Incentive offers and, in keeping with the Farming Roadmap 2050, we plan to make an SFI27 offer available. Following the closure of SFI26 Window 2, we are working with farming representative organisations and the wider sector to consider how we refine the scheme for SFI27. We will share further details as early as possible.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of recent reports suggesting animal welfare breaches at dairy farms supplying Arla Foods.

The Government remains firmly committed to maintaining high animal welfare standards across the livestock sector. Farm animals are protected by robust animal health and welfare legislation, and we keep the effectiveness of animal welfare inspection, monitoring and enforcement arrangements under review.

Any potential breaches of animal health and welfare legislation are taken seriously. Defra's Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) investigates allegations of non-compliance, undertakes on-farm inspections, monitors compliance with welfare legislation and where necessary, will co-ordinate with enforcement bodies such as local authorities.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will review the effectiveness of animal welfare inspection, monitoring and enforcement arrangements within the dairy sector.

The Government remains firmly committed to maintaining high animal welfare standards across the livestock sector. Farm animals are protected by robust animal health and welfare legislation, and we keep the effectiveness of animal welfare inspection, monitoring and enforcement arrangements under review.

Any potential breaches of animal health and welfare legislation are taken seriously. Defra's Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) investigates allegations of non-compliance, undertakes on-farm inspections, monitors compliance with welfare legislation and where necessary, will co-ordinate with enforcement bodies such as local authorities.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she will take with that part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 budget that was not spent.

Around £3 million of the SFI26 Window 1 budget remained following the closure of that window. This funding was rolled forward into Window 2. The full budget for SFI26 has now been allocated.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to provide sufficient funding to the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2027 to cover expiring agreements and to meet the expected level of demand from farmers seeking to deliver environmental outcomes.

We have allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this Parliament. We are investing more than £2.7bn a year in farming and nature recovery. Overall farmers and land managers will benefit from an average of £2.3bn a year for farming schemes. This includes funding for the Environmental Land Management schemes paid to farmers increasing by around 150%, rising from £800m in 2023/24 towards £2bn by 2028/29. There will be future Sustainable Farming Incentive offers and, in keeping with the Farming Roadmap 2050, we plan to make an SFI27 offer available.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has assessed the adequacy of statutory nuisance legislation in addressing significant reflected sunlight from artificial surfaces, including domestic solar panels; and whether she has considered extending the statutory nuisance framework to provide protection for residents whose use and enjoyment of their properties is adversely affected by such reflections.

Planning guidance currently already requires assessment of reflected sunlight and mitigations to reduce solar glare from surfaces. The statutory nuisance regime covers artificial light emissions.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to reinforce international supply lines of food and water, including during an international emergency or conflict involving the UK or its allies and trade partners.

The UK has a resilient food supply chain, underpinned by diverse sources of supply, strong domestic production and reliable import routes. However, food security cannot be taken for granted. Defra works closely with farmers, the wider food and drink industry, including bottled water producers, and other government departments to identify and manage potential risks to the food system, helping to maintain supplies and support recovery from disruptions. The Food Preparedness Group brings together government, industry and civil society to strengthen preparedness for acute and catastrophic risks to the UK's food supply.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the evidence for a Poultry Sector Growth Plan in the context of national food security.

The Poultry Sector Growth Plan is being developed by industry, supported by Government, to identify opportunities for the sector to improve its productivity and profitability sustainably. This plan will comply with key Government policies such as the Animal Welfare Strategy, Farming Roadmap and Environment Improvement Plan 2025.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to increase capacity for the safe, clean and ethical recycling of electric vehicle (a) chemistries and (b) critical mineral content.

UK regulations require electric vehicle and battery manufacturers to meet recycling targets at end-of-life. The Government is reviewing batteries legislation and will consult on proposals to achieve more sustainable, safer recycling of battery minerals.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support she will provide to farmers with Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier and Higher Tier agreements expiring in December 2026 who have not secured a Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 agreement.

Farmers with expiring Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier agreements may be able to apply for future environmental land management offers, including a planned SFI27 offer, where they meet eligibility criteria. Natural England is contacting Higher-Tier customers whose agreements expire in December 2026 to discuss options, including a new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
14th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Ministry of Defence and HM Treasury joint document entitled The Defence Investment Plan Funding explainer, published on 30 June 2026, whether her Department is required to contribute to the funding set out under line 5 entitled Reduce departmental capital budgets by one per cent.

The Ministry of Defence and HM Treasury will provide any further information on the funding of the Defence Investment Plan in the normal way.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her Department’s policies of the report entitled Water industry performance insights: joint regulator report, published on 29 October 2026.

The joint regulator report gives the public a clearer picture of water company performance and where improvement is needed. The upcoming Water Bill is designed to deliver real-world change by strengthening accountability and oversight so poor performance can be identified early and addressed decisively when water company standards fall short.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
9th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much their Department spent on hotel accommodation for (a) staff and (b) Ministers broken down by (i) UK stays and (ii) overseas stays in the 2024-25 financial year.

For all staff including ministers it was £2,833,345.20 for UK hotels for the 2024-25 financial year.

For all staff including ministers it was £ 635,524.37 for overseas hotels for the 2024-25 financial year.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
29th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of dry weather spill levels from sewage overflows on the River Loddon; and whether the Environment Agency will publish river-specific dry weather spill data for chalk streams such as the Loddon.

Water companies report dry day spill data monthly in arrears to the Environment Agency following analysis of detailed storm overflow and rainfall data. The Environment Agency publishes annual Event Duration Monitoring storm overflow data.

Potential permit breaches are investigated according to environmental risk. Enforcement action is taken for significant non-compliance.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with water companies on steps to fix leaks in the West Midlands.

I have regular discussions with water companies about the need to reduce leakage and meet their leakage targets, through meetings such as the National Drought Group and the Water Delivery Taskforce.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has issued guidance on councils levying garden waste charges based on the council tax banding of the dwelling.

Local authorities have had the option to charge for a garden waste collection since 1992, as per the Controlled Waste (England & Wales) Regulations 2012. Some may choose to charge for such collections due to local circumstances and economic drivers. They have the flexibility to make the best choices to suit local need.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Department has made of customers funding, through Ofwat's asset health adjustments, the renewal of assets in poor or very poor condition, and whether those costs should instead fall on shareholders.

The water industry provides critical services that the public and our economy depend on every day. Our reforms will shift the system to one where assets are properly maintained in order to be more resilient to shocks. Allowed revenues via the PR24 cost change process are scrutinised and approved by Ofwat.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to improve water access for agricultural producers during periods of drought.

Farmers can apply to the Environment Agency for temporary abstraction flexibilities where environmental impacts can be appropriately managed. The Environment Agency brought forward reservoir refilling for eligible farmers by one month and allows additional abstraction during flood warnings. We are also providing up to £15 million to support investment in on-farm reservoirs.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when her department will publish the call for evidence about implementation of the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme.

PackUK is planning to publish a call for evidence to inform future approaches to fee modulation under Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging in early 2027. Additionally, a post-implementation review of the scheme will be undertaken by 31st December 2028.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press release entitled Environment Secretary commits to take further action against water bosses over pollution, 29 October 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of further improvement actions on Thames Water's performance.

The upcoming Water Bill is designed to deliver real-world change by strengthening accountability and oversight so poor performance can be identified early and addressed decisively when water company standards fall short.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Water Reform Bill will prohibit performance-related payments to water company directors made through parent and holding companies.

Ofwat will report later this year on its assessment of compliance with the bonus rules for 2025-26 performance-related executive pay. We will not tolerate any attempts to undermine the bonus rules. Ofwat will be reviewing the bonus rules to assess if and how the rules should be tightened.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's disclosure EIR2026/13473, what assessment her Department has made of the potential environmental impacts of the planned closure of poultry litter biomass facilities in April 2027, including on (a) alternative treatment and storage capacity for displaced agricultural waste and (b) Environment Agency inspection and permitting resources.

Poultry litter is an animal by-product. If it cannot be used as fertiliser without impacting on the environment or human health then it becomes waste. The producer or holder of waste has a legal duty to ensure that it is managed and treated in accordance with the appropriate waste legislation. Defra is working closely with the farming industry and the poultry sector on litter management.

The Environment Agency is aware of this potential closure. Its farm inspection regime covers nutrient applications to land, with inspection targets increasing annually.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on ensuring that households in England affected by flooding following Storm Austen and Storm Boelo receive follow-up support, including mental health support.

Defra works closely with all departments to support communities affected by flooding, including the Department for Health and Social Care and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which leads cross-Government flood recovery work.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
29th Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of soil by volume from construction sites is being treated as waste; and what plans they have to reduce that percentage.

UK Statistics on Waste (copy attached) shows that 47.6 million tonnes of waste soil was generated by the construction and demolition sectors in 2024 in England. The percentage of total soil is not known.

Waste soil is treated either by depositing onto or into land, backfilling, or other recovery.

Defra supports the sustainable management of soils and minimising unnecessary disposal to landfill, within the existing regulatory framework.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Nov 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what restrictions are currently in force to prevent food products containing beef or poultry, processed in Wales, Scotland or England, from entering Northern Ireland.

Meat products imported from Great Britain into Northern Ireland are subject to EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) rules under the Windsor Framework. The Framework provides schemes to facilitate and simplify the internal UK movements of SPS goods, including meat products processed in Wales, Scotland or England. Compliance with relevant health certificate conditions and labelling requirements may be needed.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
5th Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made towards achieving full compliance with the Windsor Framework requirements relating to certification, box-level labelling, and the authorisation of only compliant goods for movement under the relevant arrangements.

This Government is committed to the full and faithful implementation of the Windsor Framework. Recent progress includes technical changes to strengthen certification controls, issuing new guidance to improve compliance with box-level labelling requirements, and working with individual traders to ensure that only eligible goods are authorised to move under the relevant arrangements.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
29th Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to release their definition of "sustainable management" of soils under the Environmental Improvement Plan.

Defra’s definition of sustainable soil management is published in the glossary of the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025. It is described as: practices that maintain or enhance the ecosystem services provided by the soil without impairing the functions enabling those services or being detrimental to other properties of the environment.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
29th Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what the scope is of their review of environmental monitoring and related governance structures; when they plan to publish the results of the review; and how.

This Government routinely reviews its capabilities and governance arrangements to ensure they remain fit for purpose. Defra recently undertook a review to inform the development of future policy on strategic monitoring. As the review supports ongoing policy development and contains commercially sensitive information, this Government does not intend to publish the report.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
29th Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to ensure that any future sustainable farming incentive application process is not operated on a first-come, first-served basis, particularly when funding can be exhausted within a very short application window.

This Government has committed to making an SFI27 offer available and is currently working with farming representative organisations and the wider sector to consider how the scheme should be refined. As part of this work, Defra is exploring alternatives to a first come, first served application process for SFI in 2027. The department is also considering how to improve the controllability of future offers and how funding can be distributed fairly across the sector. Further details on the SFI27 offer will be announced in due course.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
29th Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that farmers working on the land, particularly smaller businesses without dedicated administrative capacity, have a fair opportunity to apply to the sustainable farming incentive.

This Government has committed to making an SFI27 offer available and is currently working with farming representative organisations and the wider sector to consider how the scheme should be refined. As part of this work, Defra is exploring alternatives to a first come, first served application process for SFI in 2027. The department is also considering how to improve the controllability of future offers and how funding can be distributed fairly across the sector. Further details on the SFI27 offer will be announced in due course.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Nov 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Animal Sentience Committee has reviewed non-stun slaughter; and whether they consider that this practice conforms to their policies on animal welfare.

The Animal Sentience Committee has statutory powers to produce reports containing its views on whether, or to what extent, this Government has appropriately considered how its policy decisions might affect the welfare of sentient animals. The Committee has not considered Government policy decisions on non-stun slaughter.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Nov 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reported IT and administrative problems that prevented some farmers from completing or submitting applications for the sustainable farming incentive during the available window.

The SFI26 application service remained stable throughout Window 2, with service performance within normal operating parameters. Analysis has not identified evidence of a systemic platform-performance issue, although some customers reported difficulties accessing or using the service. The Rural Payments Agency is assessing reports of technical issues from farmers and agents. Ministers extended the technical issue exception group to include certain farmers who reported valid technical issues up to one week after Window 2 closed, including some who had started but not submitted applications.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government which non-governmental organisations the Ministers from Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs have met and are due to meet regarding the consultation on the first environment delivery plan.

Natural England is leading the consultation on the first Environmental Delivery Plan and has undertaken any engagement directly related to it.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Blake of Leeds on 26 October (HLWS426), what discussions they have had with Natural England on changing its restrictions on heather burning.

The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 are managed by Defra, with Natural England acting as a consultee on licence applications. Defra continues to work closely with Fire and Rescue Services, who provide advice on licence applications where appropriate. There are no current plans to review the Regulations.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
21st Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what support they plan to give, if any, to farmers with Countryside Stewardship (1) Mid-Tier, and (2) Higher-Tier, agreements which expire in December 2026 who have not secured a sustainable farming incentive 2027 agreement.

Farmers with expiring Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier agreements may be able to apply for future environmental land management offers, including a planned SFI27 offer, where they meet eligibility criteria. Natural England is contacting Higher-Tier customers whose agreements expire in December 2026 to discuss options, including renewed agreements.

27th Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to introduce a dedicated support programme for small and local abattoirs, including assistance with veterinary inspection costs, regulatory compliance, and modernisation; and if not, what alternative measures they propose to ensure their long-term viability.

This Government recognises the important role small abattoirs play within the national food supply chain and remains committed to maintaining a resilient meat processing sector. Abattoirs currently receive support towards Official Control Regulation (OCR) charges through a tiered discount regime, with the smallest operators receiving up to a 90% discount. Following a public consultation between March and June 2026, the FSA Board is considering changes to target support more effectively and reduce regulatory burdens across the sector. Under the proposed approach, the smallest plants would receive a guaranteed 90% discount on OCR charges.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the department has made of the adequacy of the level of animal-welfare enforcement resource in England.

Local authorities play a vital role in animal welfare enforcement and are responsible for determining and allocating resources according to local needs and priorities. Defra is strengthening its understanding of enforcement capacity and capability, including through a new statutory data return covering farming and import-related animal health and welfare services.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many local authorities have trained and qualified officers available to undertake animal-welfare enforcement.

Local authorities play a vital role in animal welfare enforcement and are responsible for determining and allocating resources according to local needs and priorities. Defra is strengthening its understanding of enforcement capacity and capability, including through a new statutory data return covering farming and import-related animal health and welfare services.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Nov 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact on pet owners of the loss, misidentification, or inappropriate handling of animal remains by pet cremation service providers; what information her Department holds on complaints relating to such incidents; and whether she plans to introduce additional (a) policies and (b) legislation regarding licensing and inspections for pet crematoria and requiring them to meet enforceable standards on identification, storage and respectful handling of animal remains.

This is an area where the industry regulates itself. The Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria represents companion-animal cremation and burial businesses and maintains a code of conduct and provides a voice in relation to legislation. The Code of Practice covers handling, storage and cremation/burial procedures and expressly requires pet remains to be handled with care, respect and dignity.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
21st Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total Official Development Assistance expenditure by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was in financial year 2025/26; and if they will provide a table detailing the specific programme names, budget line items, and individual spending figures for that period.

The Government publishes all UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending on a calendar year basis via the Statistics on International Development. The publication reports on total UK ODA by provider and delivery, provides a breakdown of bilateral ODA by country and region, and sets out UK multilateral ODA expenditure. Defra also provides details of its expenditure and activities by financial year in its Annual Report and Accounts. This includes detail of ODA programme outturns. The report for financial year 2025/26 was published on 15 July 2026.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)