Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to consult with stakeholders on the 25 Year Environment Plan in advance of its publication in 2023.

Defra has run a number of public consultations in 2022, including those on long term targets and on nature recovery as well as on a range of individual policies. We do not plan to overlay these with a further public consultation. This was the approach taken for the original 25 Year Environment Plan.

The development of the content within the revised plan has been open and collaborative, drawing on expertise available across Government, its Arms Length Bodies, and external stakeholders. We will continue with this engagement over the coming months.

The revised plan will be subject to the relevant scrutiny and parliamentary laying procedures as set out in the Environment Act 2021.