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
Thursday 17th September 2026
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
Thursday 8th October 2026
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Remote Working
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and what proportion of civil servants …
Secondary Legislation
Wednesday 15th July 2026
Environmental Offences (Fixed Penalties) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2026
These Regulations amend the Environmental Offences (Fixed Penalties) (England) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1050) and the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c.43).
Bills
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
Sunday 11th October 2026
19:10

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
Jul. 09
Oral Questions
Sep. 15
Urgent Questions
Sep. 03
Written Statements
Sep. 15
Westminster Hall
Sep. 10
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 amend the Environmental Offences (Fixed Penalties) (England) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1050) and the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c.43).
Part 2 of these Regulations amends Part 7A of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/595, “the 2015 Order”), which makes provision about the form, timing, additional content, determination and appeals against refusal, or non-determination, of biodiversity gain plans.
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
15,386 Signatures
(2,381 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
5,546 Signatures
(620 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
4,766 Signatures
(451 in the last 7 days)
Petitions with most signatures
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
Juliet Campbell Portrait
Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 17th November 2025
Ben Goldsborough Portrait
Ben Goldsborough (Labour - South Norfolk)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Member since 22nd June 2026
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

28th Aug 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what was the total cost of facility time to the department in (a) 2023-24, (b) 2024-25 and (c) 2025-26; and what was the headcount number of facility time staff in each; how many were 100% facility time; and whether funding was provided for trade union activities in each of those years.

The information on trade union facility time for 2023/24 and 2024/25 is publicly available through the Defra Annual Report and Accounts, on GOV.UK.

For the Defra bargaining unit in 2025/26, the total cost of trade union facility time was £119,469 and the headcount of staff claiming facility time was 23 people. Nobody was allocated 100% trade union facility time and no funding was provided for trade union activities.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
1st Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and what proportion of civil servants in her Department were on permanent home working contracts in 2025.

As of December 2025, there were 814 civil servants on home working contracts, equating to 13% of the total number of civil servants in Defra.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of whether the size and distribution of released gamebird hunting bags in England and Wales align with the numbers of non-native gamebirds registered in relevant locations, allowing for the proportion of birds that were released but not shot.

The department does not hold information relating to gamebird hunting bags.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the size, destination and distribution of non-native gamebird imports to the UK align with the size and distribution of released gamebird hunting bags in England and Wales, allowing for the proportion of birds that were released but not shot.

The department does not hold information relating to gamebird hunting bags.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department (1) uses and (2) is taking steps to install rooftop solar panels on its premises.

Defra is engaging with the Government Property Agency (GPA) through its Net Zero Programme to track progress in this area and understands GPA intends to undertake feasibility studies and energy audits at a number of sites during this financial year to assess opportunities for rooftop solar panel installation.

Funding support for public bodies to install solar panels has been available through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme with a total of over £3 billion made available up 2028. Great British Energy (GBE) also supports public sector decarbonisation and the GBE Solar programme is investing £255 million to fund around 250 schools, around 260 NHS sites, and around 15 military sites to install solar panels across the country.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 70 of the Environment Agency's Annual Report and Accounts 2015/6, if she will provide a breakdown of the £50.2m spent by the Environment Agency in Hired and Contracted Services in 2015/6.

Breakdown of the £50.2 million spent by the Environment Agency in Hired and Contracted Services in 2015/6:

Category

Amount (£m)

Contracted services (including flood maintenance activities and maintenance of Flood, Hydrometry & Telemetry, and Waterways assets)

30.8

Information Communications Technology (ICT) Contracted services (i.e. building, servicing and maintaining digital and communication technology systems and data)

19.4

Total

50.2

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 9 July 2026, to Question 14616, on DEFRA: Secondment, if she will name the (a) 45 organisations that were seconded from DEFRA and (b) 22 organisations which were seconded to DEFRA.

Our response to PQ 14616 contained an error. The numbers were transposed. The correct position is: “Since July 2024 a total of 22 organisations had Civil Servants seconded to them from Defra whilst in the same period, Defra received secondees from a total of 45 organisations.”

The list below shows the a) 22 organisations that had Civil Servants seconded to them from Defra and b) 45 organisations Defra received secondees from.

a) Outward Secondments from Defra to:

Climate Change Committee

Commonwealth Secretariat

Environment Agency

Future Homes Hub

Global Fishing Watch

Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich islands

Historic England

Independent Office for Police Conduct

Institute for Government

International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits Limited

Joint Nature Conservation Committee

Livestock Information Ltd

Metropolitan Police Service

Mole Valley District Council

Natural England

NEG

Office for Environmental Protection

Office for Students

Oxford University

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Wigan Council

World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)

b) Inward Secondments to Defra from:

ALUPRO

Cambridge University

City St Georges

Climate Sense

Cranfield Environment Centre

Cumbria County Council

DAERA

Drinking Water Inspectorate

Environment Agency

Eunomia Research & Consulting

Forest Research

Imperial College London

Joint Nature Conservation Committee

Kent Wildlife Trust

Lancaster University

Loughborough University

Natural England

OPRL Ltd

Oxford University

Plymouth Marine Laboratory

Re London

Ricardo Energy and Environment

School of Civil Engineering

School of Earth and Environment

School of Geography and the Environment

Scottish Government

SeaFish

SOAS University London

Surrey County Council

UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

UK National Nuclear Laboratory

Ulster University

University College London

University of Exeter

University of Lancaster

University of Leeds

University of London

University of Oxford

University of Southampton

University of Stirling

University of Wolverhampton

University of York

Veolia

Waste and Resources Action Programme

Welsh Water

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
9th Sep 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the investigation into alleged duplicate travel expense claims submitted by the chair of the Consumer Council for Water has (1) concluded evidence gathering, (2) reached any findings, and (3) prepared a final report; and when they expect the investigation to conclude.

The investigation has been completed and the final report will be submitted to Defra shortly to consider the findings.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Sep 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that there is adequate capacity for the recycling of fridges and freezers and that local authorities are not having to meet costs as a result of inadequate recycling capacity; and what steps they are taking to ensure an improved lifespan for the appliances.

Defra is working with manufacturers, compliance schemes and local authorities to monitor and manage reduced fridge recycling capacity. The department is clear that producers, via their compliance schemes, remain responsible for clearing local authority sites.

Additional recycling capacity is expected in 2027. In the meantime, temporary storage is permitted under an Environment Agency Regulatory Position Statement.

This Government is also exploring opportunities to increase electrical product lifespan, including the benefits of increased reuse and repair.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of fires caused by disposable barbecues in Dorset in each of the last five years.

Information on fires caused by barbecues is published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (table FIRE0602) and can be filtered by Fire and Rescue Authority area, including Dorset. Data on fires specifically caused by disposable barbecues is not included, but data collection is being improved through the Fire and Rescue Data Platform.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Sep 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have a contingency plan for actions to take in the event of an interruption to or cessation of food imports, particularly from Europe; and if so, (1) which department leads on that plan, (2) which departments and organisations are involved in its (a) design, and (b) delivery, and (3) how often it is reviewed.

The UK has a resilient food supply chain built on strong domestic production and imports through stable trade routes. Defra continuously monitors and prepares for emerging risks, working with the Cabinet Office and other Government departments to ensure food supply is fully incorporated into emergency preparedness.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the percentage of desks provided for staff is as a proportion of the total number of assigned staff in her Department's London headquarters.

It has been the practice of successive governments not to comment, on grounds of both national security and staff safety, on the physical capacity or staffing numbers for individual buildings of the government estate.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what written representations have Ministers received from the Mayor of Greater Manchester since July 2024.

It is not routine to disclose correspondence between Ministers or Permanent Secretaries and any individual or organisation.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department’s (a) Permanent Secretary and (b) Ministers have had correspondence with Flint Global since July 2024.

It is not routine to disclose correspondence between Ministers or Permanent Secretaries and any individual or organisation.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what specific diversity and inclusion (a) days, (b) weeks and (c) months, were recognised and marked by (i) the department and (ii) each of its agencies, in the calendar year 2025.

Defra and its arm's-length bodies mark a range of external awareness days, weeks and months throughout the year. This provides the opportunity to raise awareness of different aspects of diversity and inclusion, and to support staff networks and wider engagement on these issues with our people.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
4th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much her Department spent on activities relating to Pride Month 2026.

In Defra there was no expenditure relating to Pride Month in 2026.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
1st Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Food Standards Agency on its decision to classify Trametes Versicolor and Cordyceps Militaris as novel foods and plans for assessing the safety of consumption of those functional mushrooms.

The Department of Health and Social Care is the sponsoring department of the Food Standards Agency.

Based on the information currently available to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Trametes versicolor and Cordyceps militaris have not been consumed to a significant degree as food in the UK or EU before 15 May 1997. They are therefore likely to be considered novel foods, which must be authorised before they are placed on the market in Great Britain.

If any Food Business Operator (FBO) would like the FSA to make formal determinations on the novel food status of these two mushroom species, they can submit consultation requests (under Article 4 of assimilated Regulation 2015/2283), including the evidence required on history of consumption.

When an FBO submits an application for the authorisation of a novel food, the safety of the food is considered as part of the risk assessment stage of the process.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to restrict the importation of Brazilian beef and chicken.

Defra is working as quickly as possible to assess Brazilian production systems to ensure that beef and chicken from animals treated with certain antimicrobial products are not exported to Great Britain and is keeping trade restrictions under review. The assessment will include an urgent in-country audit. Sanitary and phytosanitary trade measures must be evidence-based and proportionate in line with World Trade Organization rules.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many prosecutions have taken place under the Hunting Act 2004 in each of the last five years.

I refer the Hon Member to the response given by the Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services on 9 June 2026 to Connor Naismith MP under PQ 5710.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what data or information their Department holds regarding compliance levels among gamebird rearing and releasing operations with the APHA Kept Bird Register in England and Wales.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency does not routinely hold records of non-compliance with bird registration requirements or any subsequent enforcement activity. These records are held by the relevant local authority because they are responsible for the enforcement of bird registration requirements under the Animal Health Act.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of reports that veterinary practices in Northern Ireland are experiencing difficulties obtaining diagnostic equipment and replacement components.

This Government has not received reports of any issues with the supply of diagnostic equipment or replacement components to veterinary practices in Northern Ireland.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Sep 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the environmental impacts of caffeine as an emerging environmental pollutant on freshwater and saltwater ecosystems.

Caffeine was assessed in Tranche 2 of the Environment Agency's Prioritisation and Early Warning System for chemicals. It remains in the Environment Agency's surface water monitoring programmes to assess whether exposure levels and subsequent risk changes.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to increase ranger numbers in landscapes at high‑risk to wildfires.

It is crucial that we learn lessons from the 2026 wildfires and we are taking a number of steps to prepare for future wildfire seasons by strengthening coordination across Government, working closely with fire and rescue services, land managers and local authorities, and improving our understanding of wildfire risk. Our focus is on building resilience, through better prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. We recognise that rangers play an important role in managing wildfire risk, working closely with Fire and Rescue Services where needed, and ensuring staff are appropriately trained to support safe and appropriate action.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what monitoring and assessment is undertaken by water companies of water usage and wastewater volumes to estimate the size of the resident population in the water area.

Water companies use established practises and methodologies to monitor water and wastewater use by their customers. This alongside various factors, such as local authority planning, helps inform the water companies’ long-term plans to secure water and wastewater services.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th Sep 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what investigations have been undertaken into allegations of dumping of dangerous substances by the former Monsanto chemical company.

Local authorities are primarily responsible for regulating contaminated land in England, while the Environment Agency (EA) regulates designated special sites. The EA has provided technical support for past and current local authority investigations into alleged Monsanto dumping sites, but none have been designated as special sites to date.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will provide an update on recent progress on the reintroduction of keystone species like beavers.

Defra supports the reintroduction of keystone species where benefits to the environment, people and the economy are clear. Three licensed beaver wild release projects have been approved in England, with two further applications underway. Defra has approved £1m of funding for golden eagle reintroduction work and supported white-tailed eagle releases.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to scale up peatland restoration, woodland expansion and wetland recovery.

This Government is investing over £1 billion in tree planting and support to the forestry sector over this parliament, as well as £85 million between 2026 and 2030 to improve and restore our peatlands, including extending the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme until March 2027.

The Environment Agency's Restoring Meadow, Marsh and Reef (ReMeMaRe) initiative is working to restore at least 15% of saltmarsh, seagrass and native oyster reef habitats along the English coast by 2043.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how the new Water Regulator replacing Ofwat will be structured; and if she will ensure that water companies cannot play the two proposed bodies against each other.

The Government has committed creating a powerful new regulator.

Defra will work closely with the current regulators to ensure a smooth transition; detailed organisational structure and design of the new regulator is still under development.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the goals are of the new Water Regulator replacing Ofwat.

The Government has committed creating a powerful new regulator.

Defra will work closely with the current regulators to ensure a smooth transition; detailed organisational structure and design of the new regulator is still under development.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the timetable is for the research required by commitment 77 of the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 into increasing the natural resilience of habitats to wildfire through rewetting or restoring hydrological function; and whether her Department has reached any conclusions on the effectiveness of those measures in advance of the initial scoping review.

An initial scoping review will be reported on in the Environmental Improvement Plan’s annual progress report (APR) in 2027.

Current evidence supports the approach that peatland restoration, including rewetting and the restoration of hydrological function, can strengthen wildfire resilience by increasing moisture levels, reducing fuel loads and supporting the recovery of peat-forming vegetation such as Sphagnum mosses.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of packaging costs on (a) breweries, (b) pubs and (c) hospitality businesses in Rushcliffe.

The Government published an updated assessment in October 2024 of the impact of introducing Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) on packaging producers as a whole. The assessment did not provide separate estimates for breweries, pubs or hospitality businesses, or disaggregate impacts at a local level.

The Government is aware of concerns about the classification of packaging that is disposed of through commercial waste streams, including in hospitality settings. Defra continues to work on this issue and that includes working closely with the brewing, hospitality and wider packaging sectors.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 4 September 2026 to question 23389 on Agriculture: Reservoirs, by when she plans to open a further round of the Water Management Grant.

Defra has recently announced that we are reopening the Water Management Grant, with up to £15m available to help farmers build on-farm reservoirs so they can store more water to irrigate crops and be better protected against dry conditions in future. Defra plans to open the grant later this autumn and will provide more details on the application process closer to the launch.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 13604 answered on 2 July 2026 on Fires, what discussions she has had with executive agencies and ALBs about the effectiveness of wildfire management plans in the context of effective mitigations during the large-scale wildfires in Summer 2026.

Land managers have an important role in assessing and managing wildfire risk. Defra is supporting land managers to manage risk and put in place proportionate wildfire management plans, reflecting local risks and circumstances. These plans may include considerations of risk, control measures and monitoring mechanisms.

Defra officials are working with ALBs to ensure an aligned and coherent approach to wildfire policy. Defra’s agencies have a central role in resilience and preparedness, and officials in Defra’s agencies are working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Defra to ensure an aligned and coherent approach to wildfire policy. The Forestry Commission supports wildfire resilience through forest and land management, risk assessment and operational preparedness, and Natural England provides evidence-based advice on environmental impacts, habitat management and nature recovery, including burning licence applications.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will consider allowing the export of live animals for to the EU for fattening and slaughter as part of the dynamic alignment provisions of the proposed sanitary and phytosanitary agreement with the EU.

It is illegal to export livestock or horses for slaughter or fattening under the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act 2024. This Government understands the strong sentiment that led to legislation to ban live exports for slaughter and fattening.

This Government has agreed with the EU to establish a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) area, by way of an SPS Agreement. Negotiations with the EU are ongoing so it would not be appropriate to comment on the detailed content at this stage. Throughout discussions, this Government has been clear about the importance of being able to set high animal welfare standards.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which reporting zones are expected to show a deterioration in air quality in 2025; and for which pollutants.

We are in the process of completing the assessment of compliance under the Air Quality Standards Regulations (2010) and we will publish the full results in due course in line with our reporting commitments. These Results will include details of the status of air quality across all UK zones for key pollutants.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many sign ups there have been to the new air quality alert service since the 30 July 2026.

From 1 August 2026 to midday on 8 September 2026, there have been 2652 unique sign-ups to the new air quality alert service.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 7 September 2026 to UIN 25951, whether additional local monitoring data gathered by cities and towns in England includes monitoring data collected by local authorities and published in their Annual Status Reports in fulfilment of their duties to monitor and assess local air quality.

The additional local monitoring data referred to in the Answer of 7 September 2026 may include monitoring data collected by local authorities in fulfilment of their local air quality duties, including data reported through Annual Status Reports. The precise scope of local authority monitoring data to be incorporated is still being finalised as the new projections are developed and will depend on data availability and modelling requirements.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to require all new homes to have rainwater collection methods installed on the property.

This Government is taking steps to support rainwater harvesting and recycling in homes. We have committed to reforming how rainwater is used in homes through the Clean Water Bill. This sits alongside our review of the water efficiency and drainage standards in Building Regulations (2010).

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support the installation of rainwater collection methods in existing homes.

This Government is taking steps to support rainwater harvesting and recycling in homes. We have committed to reforming how rainwater is used in homes through the Clean Water Bill. This sits alongside our review of the water efficiency and drainage standards in Building Regulations (2010).

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
10th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the cost to the fishing industry of additional export documentation and border checks introduced since January 2021.

The Government recognises that exporters have faced additional administrative requirements since January 2021. The research project Quantifying Non-Tariff Measure on GB to EU Agri-food gathered extensive information on the costs of administrative requirements for exporters can be found here. However, it is important to stress that the costs vary substantially by business, market, consignment type, and supply chain arrangements.

In May 2025, the Government and the European Commission agreed to pursue a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement that will significantly reduce these costs and make it easier, cheaper and quicker to move food, plants, animals, and related goods across our borders.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to improve cross-departmental governance to support food supply chain resilience.

Defra works with industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the 2022 UK Government Resilience Framework and the Cabinet Office’s 2026 National Capabilities Assessment, what steps the Department is taking to support the (a) capability and (b) capacity of local resilience forums to respond to food supply chain shocks.

Defra works across Government including the Cabinet Office, other Government Departments and Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) to ensure food supply is fully incorporated as part of emergency preparedness.

LRFs play a vital role in preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies, including incidents that may affect food supply chains. The Government supports LRF capability through national guidance, exercising, assurance and preparedness programmes, including the Local Capabilities Assessment process, which helps identify strengths and areas for improvement across England.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
15th Sep 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government when the working party on farm tenancy agreements last met.

The Farm Tenancy Forum most recently met on 18 June 2026 as part of its regular quarterly meeting schedule.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of levels of public awareness of the risk of wildfires posed by litter, included discarded glass bottles.

No assessment has been made of levels of public awareness of the risk of wildfires posed by litter, including discarded glass bottles. Government departments and agencies are working together on communications to raise public awareness of the fire risks associated with discarded glass bottles and disposable barbecues. This includes social media content, using influencer networks to extend online reach, and securing broadcast interviews for Government spokespeople to explain wildfire risks and what the public can do.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what financial support is available to farmers for protecting existing carbon stores such as peatland, permanent grassland, hedgerows, woodland and mature trees.

I refer the hon. Member to the information available on GOV.UK which outlines grant funding for peatland restoration and management (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-funding-boost-to-protect-englands-iconic-peatlands) and trees and woodland grants (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/where-to-find-grants-for-trees-and-woodland). Additionally, Environmental Land Management schemes include actions that support peatland, permanent grassland, hedgerows, woodland and mature trees.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of how the costs of emissions reductions in the dairy supply chain are distributed between producers, processors, retailers and consumers.

While the Government has not undertaken a specific assessment of how the costs of dairy supply chain emissions reductions are distributed, we are committed to working with the whole food supply chain to reduce agricultural emissions to strengthen food security whilst supporting farm profitability. As part of this, we are supporting businesses to invest in their supply chains to improve resilience and sustainability, with financial benefits flowing to farmers.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that whole supply chain emissions reporting requires clear disclosure of gross emissions, and does not permit narrower Scope 1 and 2 reporting elsewhere in the chain to obscure the Scope 3 impacts of primary producers.

While the framework for business climate reporting is a policy matter for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, Defra is working with industry to support a consistent and robust approach to climate reporting for the food and drink sector. Our Food Data Transparency Partnership is improving comparable emissions data across the supply chain, from farms to retailers, including around Scope 3 emissions accounting.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Cabinet Office’s 2026 National Capabilities Assessment, what steps her Department is taking to establish greater oversight of food supply chain resilience preparedness.

As set out in the UK Government Resilience Action Plan, the Cabinet Office provides scrutiny of response capabilities across the UK Government through National Capabilities Assessments which take place every two to three years. Defra considers these assessments and works work the Cabinet Office, other Government departments and industry to ensure the food supply chain is fully incorporated in emergency preparedness planning.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th Sep 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to improve engagement with local resilience forums on food resilience in the (a) South West and (b) UK.

Defra engages with Local Resilience Forums across England, including those in the South West, through established resilience and planning arrangements. This engagement supports information sharing, preparedness and response planning for a range of risks that could affect food supply and access.

This Government continues to work with resilience partners at national and local level to maintain the UK’s food resilience.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)