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 29th October 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
Wednesday 4th November 2026
Storms: Coastal Erosion
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential …
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
Wednesday 4th November 2026
19:59

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
Oct. 29
Written Statements
Oct. 27
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
32,393 Signatures
(5,398 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
7,717 Signatures
(4,222 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
6,570 Signatures
(3,302 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
1,047 Signatures
(847 in the last 7 days)
Petitions with most signatures
Petition Open
32,393 Signatures
(5,398 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
22,511 Signatures
(39 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: 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 Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the timing and structure her Department's call for evidence on Gamebird Release, Shooting and Welfare during Rearing in England on the quantity and quality of responses from rural workers; and whether any rural stakeholders have made representations to her Department on the timing and structure of the call for evidence.

We consider the two-month response period provides a reasonable and proportionate timeframe for interested parties to submit evidence. We have received requests from two organisations for an extension to the Call for Evidence on Gamebird Release, Shooting and Welfare during Rearing in England.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
29th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help prepare coastal communities for flooding and strengthen vulnerable roads in order to minimise disruption.

Flooding is a devolved matter. This Government is investing at least £10.5 billion until 2036 in England to construct and repair flood defences, including coastal defences that protect vulnerable infrastructure such as roads.

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 the potential impact of incorrectly disposed vapes on fires in the waste and recycling sector; and what measures she is considering to increase the proportion of used vapes disposed of through appropriate collection and recycling routes.

The Government recognises the safety and environmental impacts of fires caused by incorrectly discarded vapes. Under WEEE regulations, retailers must provide take-back routes and disposal information. Defra is working with industry to explore further measures to increase the correct disposal of used vapes.

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 steps have been taken to ensure that large Agri-businesses are considering their impact on the environment, rural roads, ground water, streams and rivers when intensifying their stocking rates.

All agribusiness developments are regulated through a variety of regimes to manage impact on local areas and the environment including the Town Countryside and Planning Act, Environmental Permitting Regulations and protections from diffuse pollution. The Farming Roadmap and Land Use Framework also reinforce the Government's expectation that productivity and sustainability should be pursued together.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
29th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what contingency plans the Environment Agency has in place for when the Renewables Obligation for the landfill gas to electricity sector expires on 31 March 2027.

Under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, where collected landfill gas cannot be utilised for energy generation, landfill operators are required to flare the gas in accordance with an approved management plan to minimise potential environmental and health & safety risks. We continue to work with DESNZ and industry to understand the impacts of the Renewable Obligations Certificates (ROCs) expiring in 2027.

Defra is working with DESNZ to explore the implementation of a transition scheme following ROCs cessation and a long-term alternative for landfill gas capture, as set out in the Methane Action Plan.

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 the impact on odour pollution when the Renewables Obligation for the landfill gas to electricity sector expires on 31 March 2027.

Under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, where collected landfill gas cannot be utilised for energy generation, landfill operators are required to flare the gas in accordance with an approved management plan to minimise potential environmental and health & safety risks. We continue to work with DESNZ and industry to understand the impacts of the Renewable Obligations Certificates (ROCs) expiring in 2027.

Defra is working with DESNZ to explore the implementation of a transition scheme following ROCs cessation and a long-term alternative for landfill gas capture, as set out in the Methane Action Plan.

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 made of the impact on noise pollution when the Renewables Obligation for the landfill gas to electricity sector expires on 31 March 2027.

Under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, where collected landfill gas cannot be utilised for energy generation, landfill operators are required to flare the gas in accordance with an approved management plan to minimise potential environmental and health & safety risks. We continue to work with DESNZ and industry to understand the impacts of the Renewable Obligations Certificates (ROCs) expiring in 2027.

Defra is working with DESNZ to explore the implementation of a transition scheme following ROCs cessation and a long-term alternative for landfill gas capture, as set out in the Methane Action Plan.

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 into the impact on light pollution when the Renewables Obligation for the landfill gas to electricity sector expires on 31 March 2027.

Under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, where collected landfill gas cannot be utilised for energy generation, landfill operators are required to flare the gas in accordance with an approved management plan to minimise potential environmental and health & safety risks. We continue to work with DESNZ and industry to understand the impacts of the Renewable Obligations Certificates (ROCs) expiring in 2027.

Defra is working with DESNZ to explore the implementation of a transition scheme following ROCs cessation and a long-term alternative for landfill gas capture, as set out in the Methane Action Plan.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
30th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme on the price level of products, including bottled beer.

In October 2024, the Government published an assessment of the impact of the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging, including cumulative costs. This assessed packaging producers as a whole but did not provide a separate estimate for the brewing sector.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
30th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that her Department’s packaging reforms do not unnecessarily contribute to an increase to the cost of living.

In October 2024, the Government published an assessment of the impact of the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging, including cumulative costs. This assessed packaging producers as a whole but did not provide a separate estimate for the brewing sector.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
30th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme on the brewing sector.

In October 2024, the Government published an assessment of the impact of the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging, including cumulative costs. This assessed packaging producers as a whole but did not provide a separate estimate for the brewing sector.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
30th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department has made an assessment of the potential impact on pubs of Extended Producer Responsibility fees being applied to goods that do not enter the household waste stream and they already pay for through commercial waste management.

In October 2024, the Government published an assessment of the impact of the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging, including cumulative costs. This assessed packaging producers as a whole but did not provide a separate estimate for the brewing sector.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
30th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish a comparative analysis of glass packaging Extended Producer Responsibility fees in other advanced economies.

In October 2024, the Government published an assessment of the impact of the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging, including cumulative costs. This assessed packaging producers as a whole but did not provide a separate estimate for the brewing sector.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
30th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her department will publish the call for evidence about implementation of the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme.

In October 2024, the Government published an assessment of the impact of the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging, including cumulative costs. This assessed packaging producers as a whole but did not provide a separate estimate for the brewing sector.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
30th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of treating storm-driven coastal erosion as an emergency event for the purposes of funding support for (a) affected households and (b) local authorities.

The Government invested £539 million to manage coastal erosion, sea flooding, and tidal flooding between 2024 and 2026. The Government has implemented major changes to its flood and coastal erosion funding policy to make it quicker and easier to deliver the right defences in the right places.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
27th Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government how many organisations have requested an extension for submitting views to the Call for Evidence on Gamebird Release, Shooting and Welfare during Rearing in England; whether those extension requests were granted; and for what reasons requests were granted or denied.

This Government has received requests from two organisations for an extension to the Call for Evidence on Gamebird Release, Shooting and Welfare during Rearing in England. The requests were denied as we consider the two-month response period provides a reasonable and proportionate timeframe for interested parties to submit evidence.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
29th Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to facilitate the transfer of water between regions in England to ensure adequate water supplies in areas experiencing increased water stress.

Water companies set out how they plan to continue to supply water to their customers through statutory Water Resources Management Plans (WRMPs) which include demand management and new water resources infrastructure, including transfers.

£104 billion of private sector investment has been secured which will fund essential infrastructure including large scale water transfers.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
26th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to Environment Agency headcount on (a) the number of apprenticeship places offered by the Agency and (b) its future workforce pipeline.

The Environment Agency recognises the important role apprenticeships and other career-entry routes play in developing the skills and capability it needs for the future. It currently has 544 employees undertaking apprenticeships, equivalent to 4.1% of its headcount.

The Environment Agency is considering future career-entry recruitment through its strategic workforce planning.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
26th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many apprenticeship places she plans to (a) make available, and (b) fill at the Environment Agency in (i) 2027-28 and (ii) 2028-29.

The Environment Agency has not yet finalised the number of apprenticeship places it will make available or seek to fill in 2027-28 and 2028-29. Future recruitment will be determined through its strategic workforce planning, taking account of business need, affordability and agreed headcount.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
27th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what regulatory framework and funding options will help reduce rainwater from entering the foul sewer system in the Runnymede and Weybridge constituency.

The National Planning Policy Framework already requires sustainable drainage systems in all new developments. As part of wider reforms to the water sector, we will go further to enable pre-pipe solutions to reduce the volume of rainwater entering the sewerage network.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department is making to deliver secondary legislation under the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025.

This Government is committed to implementing measures to end puppy smuggling. This Government will communicate a timeline for the delivery of the relevant secondary legislation in due course.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
30th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to publish the summary of responses and government response to the consultation titled Cage reform: proposed ban on keeping laying hens, pullets and breeder layers in cages.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 22 October 2026 to the Hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington.

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, what assessment she has made of the number of fires caused by disposable barbecues in England in each of the last five years.

I refer the honourable member to the response published on 25 September to PQ 25099.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
13th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many instances of serious non-compliance were identified by the Environment Agency at permitted waste sites in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025, and in each of those years, what proportion of those instances had (i) the cause of the non-compliance identified and scored, (ii) the correct categorisation and reasonably foreseeable impact recorded, and (iii) appropriate remedial actions set.

Year

Number of serious non-compliances

2025

819

2024

878

2023

682

Serious non-compliance is classified as a category 1 or 2 permit breach. Waste sites are in the Biowaste Treatment, Landfill and Waste Treatment sectors. All recorded non-compliances are scored and a cause identified, with remedial actions applied.

Emma Hardy
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the area of deforestation associated with UK imports of (1) cattle products, (2) soy, (3) palm oil, (4) cocoa, (5) coffee, and (6) rubber, in each year since 2021.

Estimates of deforestation associated with UK consumption of these commodities are published through the Global Environmental Impacts of Consumption indicator.

These estimates cover UK consumption rather than imports alone. The latest available data is for 2023, as the underlying datasets take time to gather, verify and process.

Estimated deforestation associated with UK consumption, in hectares, for 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively:

Cattle products: 5,280; 4,130; 4,040

Soy: 2,100; 2,120; 1,630

Palm oil: 1,450; 1,290; 964

Cocoa: 4,810; 3,110; 3,120

Coffee: 798; 587; 511

Rubber: 1,010; 822; 781

This Government is strengthening its approach to tackling deforestation in UK supply chains.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help tackle rural urban pay disparities and ensure that those living in rural areas have improved access to better paid employment opportunities.

The Government is committed to ensuring that people in rural areas can access good, well-paid jobs and share in the benefits of economic growth. Our Future of Rural England Report sets out action to tackle barriers to rural growth, including skills shortages and transport and digital connectivity.

The Government is also giving local leaders greater powers to support growth in their areas. The Fiscal Devolution Roadmap outlines our approach to giving Strategic Authorities greater control over funding and a greater stake in local economic growth, complementing wider devolution of powers including over skills and transport.

Defra will continue to work across Government to ensure rural needs are reflected in policy and investment decisions, helping rural communities realise their economic potential.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how long-term adaptation reporting under the Climate Change Act is coordinated with the Resilience Action Plan.

Adaptation Reporting under the Climate Change Act supports the objectives of the UK Government Resilience Action Plan by helping organisations responsible for key infrastructure and services to thoroughly assess risk and plan for climate change in the short, medium and long-term, and share their findings with Government and the public.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
23rd Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much money her Department has spent on a) lawyers and b) consultants in drafting the Water Bill.

Defra follows strict departmental, commercial and legal governance processes when engaging consultants or external legal support. Defra legal costs are covered through arrangements with the Government Legal Department. The department does not hold centrally recorded information on the amount spent on lawyers in drafting the Water Bill.

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 steps she has taken to prevent the illegal felling of trees; and how many restocking notices have been issued by the Forestry Commission in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

The Forestry Commission seeks to prevent illegal felling through guidance, engagement with industry and local authorities, and the use of satellite imagery and intelligence to identify risks and promote compliance. Reports of suspected unlawful felling are assessed and prioritised based on risk, with enforcement action which can include the use of restocking notices and prosecution, used to deter future offences.

Number of Restocking Notices Issued

Year

Number

2021/22

61

2022/23

40

2023/24

65

2024/25

48

2025/26

99

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
26th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the UK Government plans to make changes to the practical application of the Aarhus Convention, including cost thresholds, whilst remaining a member of the convention.

The UK is committed to its international obligations, including those under the Aarhus Convention. The UK may make changes to its domestic legislation, for example, the Government has committed to modernise the Environmental Costs Protection Regime, which outlines the Aarhus costs caps, here and here.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
26th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Department plans to publish the consultation on proposals to prohibit trail-hunting in England and Wales.

On 18 June 2026, Defra closed its consultation seeking views on how best to deliver an effective and enforceable ban on trail hunting in England and Wales. The consultation received 184,000 responses. Defra plans to publish a summary of responses as soon as possible.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
29th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Animal Welfare Strategy for England, what resources her Department has allocated to deliver the commitments on decapod crustaceans; what progress her Department has made on (a) publishing guidance on killing methods and (b) examining the treatment of decapods through supply chains; what steps she has taken following stakeholder engagement on those commitments; and what her planned timetable is for the delivery of each of those.

The Animal Welfare Strategy sets out the priority issues that this Government will address, focusing on the changes and improvements that Defra aim to achieve by 2030 to improve the lives of millions of animals across the UK and resources have been allocated accordingly.

Publication of decapod guidance will be sequenced alongside the broader set of policies set out in the strategy.

Defra-commissioned research on how live decapod crustaceans move from sea to plate has been completed and will be published in due course. A project on the welfare of decapod crustaceans across the supply chain is in the Animal Welfare Committee’s current work plan.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
13th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 October 2026 to Question 30017 on Biodiversity, whether her Department undertook an impact assessment of the costs of making biodiversity net gain mandatory for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects; and what estimate it has made of those costs.

The Government published an impact assessment alongside the government response to the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) consultation in April 2026. This sets out an assessment of all costs and benefits.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
20th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Integrated Wildfire Management Plans being prepared by National Park Authorities will (a) include quantified targets for reducing vegetation fuel loads, (b) assess the role of cutting, grazing and controlled burning in achieving those reductions and (c) be in place before spring 2027.

National Park Authorities play an important role in strengthening landscape resilience and have the flexibility to tailor their approach to local circumstances. In October 2026, National Park Authorities voluntarily committed to embedding wildfire management within their National Park Plans as these are reviewed, helping to ensure that wildfire risk is considered as part of future land management. The UK National Parks position statement identifies fuel loads and the role of controlled burning of vegetation among the issues that National Park Authorities should consider.


Defra and MHCLG are building on this commitment through the development of the England Wildfire Action Plan, which will strengthen our approach across prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
27th Oct 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 incorporating measures to protect people living with severe mental illness during periods of extreme heat into the UK’s National Adaptation Programme.

We are strengthening our approach to climate adaptation across government to support our work to develop an ambitious fourth National Adaptation Programme. This includes working with lead departments such as DHSC to ensure that vulnerable people are protected from the impacts of extreme heat.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
27th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will conduct a post hoc impact assessment of the Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.

Defra continues to monitor the growing evidence on heather and grass burning including the potential impacts of burning on peatland habitats and their recovery, to inform our approach to peatland protection and restoration. There are no current plans to conduct a post hoc impact assessment of the Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
27th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what data her Department holds on the amount of arable land that has seen its land usage change from arable farmland in the last 3 years.

Agricultural land can be taken out of arable cultivation for a variety of reasons, including for agricultural purposes (for example as bare fallow within the annual crop rotations or for temporary cover crops for environmental and soil health benefits). It is therefore not possible to provide accurate data on how much land has been taken out of arable cultivation permanently as this can differ each year.

This table shows the arable crop and uncropped arable land areas:

2024

2025

2026

Arable crops (hectares)

3,454,391

3,400,227

3,342,341

Uncropped arable land (hectares)

580,662

544,610

566,034

Agricultural land area statistics are available here: Agricultural land use in England - GOV.UK.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
20th Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government whether all instances of discharge of sewage into a watercourse constitute a permit breach on the part of a water company.

Environmental permits allow water companies to discharge to watercourses under specified conditions, with non-compliance constituting a breach (the Environment Agency's policy on overflows can be found here (see attachment 1)). The Environment Agency investigates sewage discharges and pollution that occur from the wider sewerage network outside permitted sites.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
21st Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they define industrial poultry production as farming.

Large intensive poultry farms are part of the agricultural sector. Poultry farms with capacity above 40,000 poultry places require an environmental permit under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, and emissions limits are set and enforced to protect the environment and human health.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to protect (1) research and development, and (2) a path to production and sale, of precision bred products.

Precision breeding remains subject to ongoing negotiations between the UK and the EU as part of the SPS agreement. The EU has however accepted there will need to be some areas where we retain our own rules. This includes research and development where we have confirmed that we will continue our regulatory approach to support science and innovation in the UK. Defra has also funded a £12.5 million Farming Innovation Programme competition specifically to support innovation in precision breeding, and Defra’s Genetic Improvement Networks Platform provides £15 million to support precision breeding for priority traits in key crops.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to restrict imports of Brazilian beef and encourage greater use of British-produced beef, particularly in public sector procurement.

This Government is committed to upholding high sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) import standards to protect animal and public health, our farming sector and consumers. Brazilian beef and other products of animal origin authorised for import into Great Britain must continue to meet our strict animal health and food safety standards.

In 2025, the Government published a new national procurement policy statement which sets expectations for government contracts to favour products certified to high environmental standards that British producers are well-placed to meet.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the number of small animal vets in a) the Huntingdon constituency and b) across Cambridgeshire.

Defra does not hold information on the number of veterinary professionals working in specific geographical areas or sectors. This information is held by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as regulator. Their online 'Find a Vet' search tool shows the location of veterinary practices but does not currently show the location of veterinary professionals: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/animal-owners/find-a-vet.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
27th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the divergence in antimicrobial stewardship standards between Scottish livestock production and Brazilian beef imports, and how she plans to ensure equivalency in veterinary medicine tracking for products imported into Great Britain.

Beef imported into Great Britain must comply with our strict animal health and food safety requirements, in line with domestic import legislation. Defra has received guarantees from Brazil that beef exported to Great Britain is not from cattle treated with certain antimicrobial medicinal products, and Brazil is required to maintain an approved residue control plan for products of animal origin exported to Great Britain.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government how many meetings (1) Ministers, and (2) officials in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have held with (a) businesses, and (b) trade associations, on the design of regulations under Schedule 17 to the Environment Act 2021 since 5 July 2024.

This Government plans to consult later this year on the GB approach to deforestation, including on the design of regulations under Schedule 17 of the Environment Act 2021. Defra has been continually engaging with businesses and trade associations in the run-up to consultation (including at least 5 meetings in 2025 and at least 17 meetings in 2026) and will continue close engagement to seek views and encourage responses from businesses and trade associations on our proposed approach.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential economic impact of the timing of UK forest risk commodity regulations on regulatory divergence between Great Britain and Northern Ireland following the application of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 in Northern Ireland.

This Government announced the proposed UK approach to deforestation regulations in June and will consult on the approach in Great Britain later this year. To protect the UK internal market, the proposed Great Britain policy aims to operate alongside the EUDR. This Government also aims to achieve due diligence consistency for businesses working in both the UK internal market and EU single market.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Oct 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their intended timetable for (1) laying before the House, and (2) bringing into force, regulations under Schedule 17 to the Environment Act 2021; and why they have not already brought forward such regulations since that Act received Royal Assent.

This Government recognises the urgency of tackling deforestation globally and the important role the UK has internationally. It plans to consult later this year on the GB approach to deforestation. The proposed approach includes updating existing requirements under the UK Timber Regulation and introducing regulations under Schedule 17 of the Environment Act 2021. It is expected that legislation to implement this regime will be laid in 2027, with a scheme coming into force in 2028.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
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, what data her Department has received on incidents involving the use of catapults or slingshots against wildlife since January 2024; and whether those data identify (a) police force area, (b) species, (c) suspected offender age and (d) criminal justice outcome.

Wildlife crimes, including those involving the use of catapults/slingshots, are not notifiable to the UK Home Office so there are no official statistics or identifiable trends relating to these crimes.

Any decision to make wildlife offences notifiable would sit with the Home Office, not Defra.

Defra does, however, take crimes against wildlife seriously and is aware of the ongoing and horrific misuse of catapults against wild animals.

Defra is supportive of the multi-agency Operation Lakeshot, led by the League Against Cruel Sports, which aims to reduce the number of crimes against wildlife using catapults.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
27th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department made before 22 September 2026 of the likelihood that Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 Window 2 would close on its opening day; whether she plans to introduce a minimum application period for the 2027 scheme; and whether funding will continue to be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Demand for SFI26 Window 2 exceeded the available funding. The Government plans to offer SFI in 2027, in keeping with the Farming Roadmap 2050. Defra is exploring future application arrangements and alternatives to a first-come, first-served application process for SFI in 2027. Detailed scheme arrangements and timings will be published once design and delivery planning have been completed.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
27th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what changes her Department plans to make to the Sustainable Farming Incentive application system before the opening of the 2027 scheme, particularly in relation to (a) land parcel information, (b) action areas and (c) application verification; and what technical problems qualify for consideration under the arrangements for applicants unable to submit applications in September 2026.

Demand for SFI26 Window 2 exceeded the available funding. The Government plans to offer SFI in 2027, in keeping with the Farming Roadmap 2050. Defra is exploring future application arrangements and alternatives to a first-come, first-served application process for SFI in 2027. Detailed scheme arrangements and timings will be published once design and delivery planning have been completed.

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