Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The expansion of AI infrastructure is critical to the UK's long-term economic growth, resilience, and global competitiveness. This Government is working with industry to improve understanding of the demand for agricultural land.

National planning policy gives clear preference for development sited on brownfield, industrial, contaminated, or previously developed land. Where development of agricultural land is necessary, lower-quality land should be preferred to higher-quality land.

The Land Use Framework included a clear, long-term commitment to maintain overall food production in England while increasing resilience to climate change and safeguarding our best and most versatile agricultural land.

There is a growing concern about the health and environmental impacts of some chemical flame retardants, including tris(chloropropyl) phosphate. In June 2025, the Environment Agency published a scoping review of flame retardants relevant to the GB market. This year the Health and Safety Executive added several flame retardants to the UK REACH Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern, signalling their potential for further regulatory control.

There is a growing concern about the health and environmental impacts of some chemical flame retardants, including tris(chloropropyl) phosphate. In June 2025, the Environment Agency published a scoping review of flame retardants relevant to the GB market. This year the Health and Safety Executive added several flame retardants to the UK REACH Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern, signalling their potential for further regulatory control.

There is a growing body of evidence to support action to reduce the volume of chemical flame retardants used to enable upholstered furniture to pass flammability tests set out in the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade recently ran a consultation on a set of policy proposals that aim to maintain a high level of fire safety, while meaningfully reducing the reliance on chemical flame retardants.

The National Fire Chiefs Council provided input to Defra’s consultation on the Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations in 2025 and the department continues to engage with them closely on wildfire matters.

Careful choice of land management techniques, including grazing at appropriate levels, is part of the toolkit in reducing the risks and severity of wildfires. However, influencing human behaviour will be essential in preventing most wildfires from starting. On Dartmoor, Natural England has supported and advised on the development and implementation of a strategic Wildfire Management Plan for the Dartmoor commons. This has been funded through Farming in Protected Landscapes in partnership with Dartmoor Commoners Council, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Dartmoor Fire & Rescue and individual commoners associations. This has funded training in wildfire management and control, the creation of fire breaks for each common and other capital works such river crossings for emergency vehicles.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are long-lasting chemicals that can harm human health and the environment. Waste containing POPs above legal limits must be managed so that the POPs are destroyed or irreversibly transformed. Some chemical flame retardants previously used on sofas and similar upholstered seating are classified as POPs and therefore must be disposed of in this way.

Through a multi-agency effort, this Government is working closely with a range of partners to monitor and respond to the nurdle spill in the River Tyne. Clean-up operations are underway, with particular attention being given to environmentally sensitive locations, including Marsden Bay.

There is a growing concern about the health and environmental impacts of some chemical flame retardants, including tris(chloropropyl) phosphate. In June 2025, the Environment Agency published a scoping review of flame retardants relevant to the GB market. This year the Health and Safety Executive added several flame retardants to the UK REACH Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern, signalling their potential for further regulatory control.

There is a growing body of evidence to support action to reduce the volume of chemical flame retardants used to enable upholstered furniture to pass flammability tests set out in the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade recently ran a consultation on a set of policy proposals that aim to maintain a high level of fire safety, while meaningfully reducing the reliance on chemical flame retardants.

The UK has contributed £55 million to establish and operationalise the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund since its launch in 2023. All contributions have been made in the form of grants.

The Fund, administered by the Global Environment Facility, is designed to maximise additional finance leveraged from the public and private sectors to further boost investment towards biodiversity and create sustainable financial flows.

This Government considers matters relating to legal risk and potential legal risk across the range of government work, and has the benefit of expert in-house legal teams who advise across the whole range of government work.

This Government is currently negotiating a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement to reduce barriers to trade, improve the flow of agrifood goods and maintain high standards of biosecurity. The department expect the agreement with the EU to be consistent with Defra’s international obligations and have entered negotiations with the EU in full awareness of the department’s international commitments, including under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

This Government has no plans to introduce targets to reduce livestock herd sizes as part of its approach to achieving net zero. The department’s focus is on supporting farmers to reduce emissions while maintaining a thriving and productive agricultural sector.

On 16 July, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced that Dartmoor ponies would be removed from stocking rate calculations in new Environmental Management agreements on Dartmoor, so that farmers do not face a choice between keeping ponies and maintaining sheep or cattle. This implements recommendation 27 of the 2023 Fursdon Review, an independent review of protected site management on Dartmoor. A new dedicated pony supplement will be introduced into farming schemes to remove any financial incentive to reduce pony populations.

The Department does not hold a single central register of all non-legally binding instruments signed by Defra and its Arm's Length Bodies. Some non-legally binding instruments signed since July 2024 include environmental cooperation memoranda of understanding with China and Indonesia; a fertilisers cooperation memorandum with Brazil; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew memoranda with Chinese scientific and botanical institutions; a Defra-RBG Kew Seeds to Trees memorandum; a UK-China Food Safety, Animal and Plant Quarantine memorandum; and bilateral arrangements reached with Vietnam, Uruguay and Canada under Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in connection with establishing the UK’s independent WTO Goods Schedule.

Once fully implemented the digital waste tracking service will require certain information about waste movements to be entered before the movement, followed by confirmation that a waste carrier has collected it and confirmation that it has been received at a waste receiving site.

If these confirmations are not provided, then this will highlight to regulators that this waste may have been ‘lost’ and potentially mismanaged. They can then act accordingly to investigate this.

This transparency and near real time data will reduce the opportunities for organised waste criminals to operate; making it much harder to commit waste crime such as fly-tipping.

The Environment Agency assesses the environmental risk through the assessment of environmental permits to protect habitats from air pollution, and compliance with regulations to protect land and water. Measures are checked through regular compliance inspections.

There are a number of different farming systems in use in England and farms of all sizes have a role to play in promoting sustainable agriculture. All farms, regardless of size and type of production system, must comply with comprehensive legislation aimed at protecting animal health and welfare. The Government remains firmly committed to improving animal welfare and wants to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. Ministers recently met with several representatives of various farming sectors to discuss the Animal Welfare Strategy. This outlines the Government’s plans to improve farm animal welfare including through transitioning away from intensive confinement systems such as cages or crates.

Ammonia from poultry farms contributes to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution concentrations across the country. The precise contribution is difficult to assess and will vary according to the prevailing weather conditions and other sources of PM2.5. Long term exposure to fine particulate matter is associated with a number of serious health conditions. Intensive poultry farms with a capacity of 40,000 poultry places or more require a permit under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, to control their emissions into the environment.

Where animal welfare is impacted by farming practices, this can lead to increased health risks to humans through either the food chain, direct animal contact or through environmental contamination. For gastrointestinal disease this can occur through increased shedding of human pathogens where animals are at heightened stress, such as Salmonella spp and Campylobacter spp. Increased shedding of bacteria can also increase the risk antimicrobial resistance can spread.

Any individual exposed to positive detections of HPAI in poultry will be managed according to UKHSA’s public health guidance. Guidance for the management of people exposed to birds or other animals infected with influenza A(H5) - GOV.UK (copy attached).

The Government published an updated assessment in October 2024 of the impact of introducing packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) on packaging producers as a whole. That assessment did not provide a separate assessment of impacts on the hospitality sector.

We are aware of concerns about packaging that is disposed of through commercial waste streams and continue to work with stakeholders on this issue.

pEPR payments are intended to support and fund the efficient and effective management of household packaging waste by local authorities. Commercial waste collection and recycling arrangements sit outside the purpose of those payments.

The October 2024 impact assessment remains the Government’s published assessment of the impacts of introducing Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) and was independently scrutinised by the Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC), which rated it ‘Green’ and fit-for-purpose.

As the scheme is implemented, Defra and PackUK continue to monitor evidence from scheme delivery, producer reporting, local authority costs, and stakeholder engagement.

Packaging waste recycling targets, met by businesses through their recycling obligations, were set whilst taking account of the expected effects of Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) alongside other recycling reforms, including Simpler Recycling.

These reforms are intended to improve the quality and quantity of material collected for recycling. Businesses remain responsible for meeting their packaging recycling obligations, and Defra will continue to monitor evidence from scheme delivery.

Defra is assessing the potential impact of forthcoming amendments to the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) regulations.

The amendments are intended to improve the operation of the scheme, including by clarifying aspects of producer obligations, and strengthening transparency and oversight in the Packaging Waste Recycling Note and Packaging Waste Export Recycling Note systems.

The Government will set out the relevant assessment when the regulations are brought forward. The Department will also continue to monitor implementation and outcomes through the wider Collection and Packaging Reforms evaluation programme.

The 2024 final impact assessment for Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) estimated it could result in a one-off increase in CPI inflation of 0.07 percentage points, or an increase to average weekly household expenditure of £0.91. It did not provide a separate estimate of food price inflation. For the average producer, the assessment estimated pEPR costs at less than 1% of turnover. Businesses that do not meet both the £2 million turnover and 50-tonne packaging thresholds are not liable for disposal fees or recycling obligations.

Defra ministers and officials regularly engage with stakeholders on the operation of the scheme.

Defra have published an impact assessment alongside regulations, implementing changes to biodiversity net gain for smaller developments. This shows around 80% of planning applications are already exempt from BNG under existing exemptions, such as for householder development, which are having little of no impact on biodiversity. We expect that the new exemption for sites of 0.2 hectares or less will exempt around an additional 51% of residential planning applications that are currently eligible for biodiversity net gain.

The consultation on a potential additional targeted exemption for residential brownfield development closed on 10 June 2026. All responses and evidence submissions are being analysed and the Government will respond to the consultation in due course.

Defra have published an impact assessment alongside regulations, implementing changes to biodiversity net gain for smaller developments. This shows around 80% of planning applications are already exempt from BNG under existing exemptions, such as for householder development, which are having little of no impact on biodiversity. We expect that the new exemption for sites of 0.2 hectares or less will exempt around an additional 51% of residential planning applications that are currently eligible for biodiversity net gain.

The consultation on a potential additional targeted exemption for residential brownfield development closed on 10 June 2026. All responses and evidence submissions are being analysed and the Government will respond to the consultation in due course.

As part of a transition to a circular economy, Defra wants to help businesses reduce food waste and improve efficiency. Through the No10-led Food Waste Endeavour, we are working with food businesses and technology providers to understand how UK companies are using AI technologies to drive reductions in food waste and deliver savings for businesses and how government can best support these data driven solutions. No recent assessment has been made of the potential impact of mandatory food waste reporting on the cost of living.

In May, the Prime Minister committed to a national programme to redistribute surplus food to support those in need. Defra is working with food retailers, redistribution organisations, and charities to increase the redistribution of edible surplus food and reduce waste. In 2024, redistribution organisations received around 210,000 tonnes of surplus food, equivalent to 500 million meals worth approximately £870 million. We know that improving the use of real-time data and strengthening links between businesses and redistribution networks means that surplus food can be identified and redirected more quickly, ensuring more edible food reaches those who need it rather than going to waste. We are looking at opportunities for the sector to maximise the use of data.

Securing less burdensome arrangements for non-commercial pet travel to the EU, including for assistance dogs, remains a UK Government priority. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an Animal Health Certificate each time they travel, assistance dog owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU.

We have committed, with the EU, to conclude negotiations before the next UK-EU Summit. Whilst these negotiations are ongoing, we are unable to provide detailed updates on the talks or delivery timelines.

Securing less burdensome arrangements for non-commercial pet travel to the EU, including for assistance dogs, remains a UK Government priority. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an Animal Health Certificate each time they travel, assistance dog owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU.

We have committed, with the EU, to conclude negotiations before the next UK-EU Summit. Whilst these negotiations are ongoing, we are unable to provide detailed updates on the talks or delivery timelines.

Securing less burdensome arrangements for non-commercial pet travel to the EU, including for assistance dogs, remains a UK Government priority. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an Animal Health Certificate each time they travel, assistance dog owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU.

We have committed, with the EU, to conclude negotiations before the next UK-EU Summit. Whilst these negotiations are ongoing, we are unable to provide detailed updates on the talks or delivery timelines.

Securing less burdensome arrangements for non-commercial pet travel to the EU, including for assistance dogs, remains a UK Government priority. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an Animal Health Certificate each time they travel, assistance dog owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU.

We have committed, with the EU, to conclude negotiations before the next UK-EU Summit. Whilst these negotiations are ongoing, we are unable to provide detailed updates on the talks or delivery timelines.

Securing less burdensome arrangements for non-commercial pet travel to the EU, including for assistance dogs, remains a UK Government priority. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an Animal Health Certificate each time they travel, assistance dog owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU.

We have committed, with the EU, to conclude negotiations before the next UK-EU Summit. Whilst these negotiations are ongoing, we are unable to provide detailed updates on the talks or delivery timelines.

This Government is committed to peatland restoration, and we have recently extended the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme for a further year, until March 2027.

This scheme has already restored around 28,000 hectares of peatland and this extension will support the restoration of thousands more hectares, including in the uplands.

As a condition of funding, delivery partners provide regular reports on restoration progress.

Upland peatland restoration is also being delivered through Environmental Land Management schemes, including Landscape Recovery, which supports restoration through 20-year agreements.

We have also launched the £1.15 million Peatland Restoration Sector Capacity Grant Scheme to boost peatland skills, training, apprenticeships and equipment across the sector.

Defra is working with the four nations representatives and regulatory bodies to consistently and continuously engage with stakeholders on the development of digital waste tracking, both in the waste industry and software development sectors and with our colleagues in local councils. Timelines and information can be found on this gov.uk webpage - Digital waste tracking service - GOV.UK. Information will be made available as the service develops.

The Environment Agency (EA) is working diligently with Defra and the other regulators and governments of the four nations to develop a range of measures that cover preventative actions, faster identification of illegal activity and robust enforcement actions to maximise the potential of Digital Waste Tracking and combat waste crime across the country.

If members of the public suspect that someone is fly-tipping, illegally depositing, treating or disposing of waste, they should report any suspected illegal activity to the EA.

Lord Krebs and Baroness Willis of Summertown were invited to discuss the draft Nature Restoration Levy Regulations 2026 and the Environmental Delivery Plans (Appropriate Prioritisation) Regulations 2026. The invitation reflected their previous engagement on the Nature Restoration Fund during passage of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and their expressed interest in the development of the related secondary legislation.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is responsible for the enabling powers under which the Environmental Delivery Plans (Appropriate Prioritisation) Regulations 2026 were made and therefore took the lead in bringing forward the regulations. The regulations were developed in close collaboration with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Natural England, reflecting the shared responsibility for implementation of the Nature Restoration Fund and Environmental Delivery Plans.

The Secretary of State for Defra will publish guidance on the Nature Restoration Fund so that it is in place for when the first Environmental Delivery Plan becomes available for developers. Defra will keep the need for further areas of guidance under review.

There is no international consensus on the legal basis of the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and no agreement on either the definition of the right or its scope. The UK supported United Nations General Assembly Resolution 76/300 on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, accompanied by an explanation of vote which referred to this lack of consensus. This Government has no current plans to introduce legislation on the right but is monitoring discussions exploring a new instrument at the international level to enshrine the right, including at the Council of Europe. Officials have previously raised this with the Devolved Governments and will consult with them ahead of any formal international negotiations.

The EA has commissioned a waste crime reporting Crimestoppers campaign which launched on 20 May 2026 and is set to finish in July/August. This radio and social media campaign aims to increase public awareness, understanding, and reporting of waste crime. The Crimestoppers campaign is featured on the Environment Agency website, and any communications on social media are amplified by Defra. The public should report any information regarding individuals or organised networks anonymously by visiting the Crimestoppers Illegal Waste Dumping page or by calling their 24/7 hotline at 0800 555 111.

This Government has recently laid legislation that will replace the light-touch waste carriers, brokers and dealers registration system with a new waste controllers and transporters system under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. This new regime will mean that operators will need to undergo stricter background checks and demonstrate technical competence to be granted a permit.

The Joint Unit for Waste Crime brings together law enforcement partners to tackle serious and organised waste crime and has already developed an enhanced intelligence sharing approach to enable this. Under the Waste Crime Action Plan, Defra is working closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the Home Office to undertake a review of the end-to-end multi-agency response to waste crime, including areas such as information sharing. The review will identify opportunities to strengthen how agencies work together and will aim to strengthen existing intelligence sharing structures.

We remain committed to implementing the Precision Breeding Act and enabling the safe development of innovative genetic technologies.

Under the UK‑EU Common Understanding, it is recognised that there will be areas where the UK will retain its own rules. The detail of those is subject to ongoing negotiations, and it would not be appropriate to comment further.

A commercial in-ovo sexing system was trialed at a UK hatchery last year to help the egg industry understand the logistics of in-ovo sexing. This Government will engage with the egg industry and technology companies on this issue.

As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, this Government would like to see an end to the practice of culling male chicks. The Government is monitoring the rapid progress currently being made with in-ovo sexing and has funded research into the use of dual breed chickens that remove the need to kill male chicks.

The Environment agency is currently in the early stages of the funding allocation process, with funding allocations to be confirmed in 2027 for the following financial years.

This Government commissioned a research project, led by the University of Bristol, to explore the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse and to identify additional opportunities for intervention. We will consider the outcomes of this research once complete. We expect the final report to be published in 2027.

The department employed 51 agency staff in the financial year 2025/26, 23 agency staff in 2024/25, 64 agency staff in 2023/24, 35 agency staff in 2022/23, and 52 agency staff in 2021/22. All headcount figures are as of 31 March of the relevant financial year.