Much of the UK economy is still linear, based on the principles of using and disposing of products and the resources used to make them. This wastage leads to widespread environmental pollution and the continual and unsustainable need to extract finite resources.
UK and devolved governments have committed to …
As it strives to deliver its energy, environmental and growth commitments, balancing the pressures on the marine environment will be a challenge for the Government.
Following the UK’s exit from the EU, the UK takes part in several different international fisheries negotiations as an independent coastal state to agree …
Animal and plant diseases and pests have far-reaching impacts on the environment, agricultural and horticultural sectors, trade, human health, animal welfare, and the food that we eat.
The UK’s animal and plant biosecurity capability is in a period of significant change: the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s …
In recent years, external shocks have affected the UK’s food supply chain, raising questions about its resilience and vulnerabilities. Extreme weather events, such as floods, have put further pressure on domestic food production, as well as affecting countries that the UK sources food from. The impact of extreme weather on …
UK water bodies are affected by a number of high-profile threats including agricultural and sewage pollution. The water sector faces other important concerns such as weak resilience of water supply systems and future water security. Water companies providing services have been criticised for their environmental, financial and customer satisfaction performance.
…The agricultural sector is experiencing a period of significant change as it transitions away from a legacy direct payments regime towards nation-specific farming schemes.
The future of farming inquiry will provide consistent scrutiny of the issues facing the sector as it transitions. It will focus on farmers, farming communities …
Separate to our inquiries the Committee holds regular evidence sessions with the Secretary of State, other Defra Ministers and senior officials to question them on the work of the Department. The transcripts of those sessions and follow up written evidence is collected here.
The number of people who live in urban areas in the UK is expected to increase over the next decade, while the total provision of green spaces is expected to substantially decline, as infrastructure increases to meet the needs of a growing population.
The EFRA Committee's inquiry will focus …
In this inquiry the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee will explore the relationship between education and the land-based industries and the effectiveness of current primary, secondary, further and higher education in embedding awareness and equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary.
The committee will examine existing and …