Tag: Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 8 January 2026.

Water companies legally required to produce pollution reduction plans for the first time, using detailed instructions published today.

Water companies must now publish annual pollution-cutting plans under tough new powers introduced by the government.

Pollution Incident Reduction Plans (PIRPs) were previously voluntary, with only some water companies electing to produce and deliver them. Through powers in the Water (Special Measures) Act, they will now be mandatory and must be made public, creating unprecedented transparency and accountability in the sector.

Failure to publish compliant plans – with the first batch due this April – will be a criminal offence for both companies and their chief executives.

Water Minister Emma Hardy said:

It is completely unacceptable that so much sewage is still entering our waterways, and it cannot continue.

This government is delivering a new era of accountability in the water sector. We’ve banned unfair bonuses for water bosses, introduced tough penalties for pollution and these mandatory plans are the latest step to hold water companies to account and tackle the root causes of pollution.

And we’re not stopping there. Our Water White Paper will set out long-term reforms to strengthen regulation, clean up our waterways, and drive infrastructure delivery.

The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales have today (8 January) published detailed guidance for companies on what to include in their plans and how they should be used to cut pollution.

The plans must set out the specific actions companies will take to cut their pollution, including through better monitoring, clearing blockages, and customer awareness campaigns. Companies have also been told to identify and explain the root causes of their pollution incidents, to ensure they are focused not just on short-term fixes but on long-term prevention.

From 2027, companies will also have to produce annual ‘Implementation Reports’ demonstrating their year‑on‑year progress to cut pollution incidents.

Environment Agency Water Director Helen Wakeham said:

Pollution incidents from water companies happen far too often and can have devastating consequences on the environment and communities.

We have been clear that every water company now needs to focus on delivery. These plans will ensure companies are taking actions to cut their pollution incidents and are publicly accountable for doing so.

Our guidance is designed to help companies plan and deliver results – and we will continue to challenge them if they fall short.

The Environment Agency’s latest ratings of water companies’ environmental performance were the lowest since 2011. In 2024 alone, there were 2,801 reported pollution incidents in England – 75 of which were classified as serious.

The new guidance comes ahead of the government’s Water White Paper which is expected to set out plans for longer-term reforms to strengthen regulation and tackle pollution – including through the creation of a new, single water regulator, and accelerate the delivery of vital infrastructure.

Notes to editors

• The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 requires all water and sewerage undertakers (as defined by the Water Industry Act 1991) to publish annual PIRPs from April 2026 and Implementation Reports from April 2027.
• For water companies, annual PIRPs will sit alongside statutory Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs). While DWMPs provide the 25‑year strategic plan and investment pathway, PIRPs and Implementation Reports should show shorter‑term, operational action on frequent causes of pollution. Together, they will support a more proactive approach to building more resilience in the water system and maintaining and improving asset health and performance.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 7 January 2026.

Environment Secretary announces plans at Oxford Farming Conference focusing more support on smaller farms and those without an existing agreement to drive growth, secure a thriving future for the sector, and deliver high quality, affordable food.

Our farmers are essential for the nation’s food security, the Environment Secretary will say, setting out a new era of partnership between government and farmers aimed at boosting profitability. 

Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference on Thursday 8 January, Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds will announce a package of measures to ensure the government works in partnership with farmers to drive growth, secure a thriving future for the sector, and deliver high quality, affordable food for British families.   

She will announce reforms to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), designed to simplify the scheme, level the playing field, and provide stable, predictable delivery.  

She will set out how there will be two application windows in 2026, with the first from June prioritising smaller farms and those without an existing agreement, followed by a second round from September for wider applications.

The government will continue working with the sector to refine these proposals and full scheme details will be published before the first application window opens. 

The Environment Secretary will also outline a new £30 million Farmer Collaboration Fund to support farmer groups in growing their businesses, building partnerships and sharing best practice. This will empower them to find new opportunities to grow their businesses, share what works, build partnerships, and drive the kind of change that comes from the ground up.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds is expected to say:  

Farmers are at the heart of our national life – for what you produce, the communities you sustain, and the landscapes and heritage you protect. 

British farming is also a key growth sector we’re backing for the long term. Farmers who want to build, to export and to invest in new technology.  

But too often, they’ve been held back by bureaucracy. We’re changing that to a system that backs our farmers.

The Secretary of State also set her vision to work in partnership with farmers:

We will work with you – through our new Farming and Food Partnership Board, through peer-to-peer networks, through community-led change, and through engagement on the detailed changes to SFI.   

You will have the certainty you need to plan – clear budgets, clear timelines, clear future roadmap, and growth built on strong foundations. 

That’s my commitment to you and it’s the foundation for the future we’re building together, to drive growth, secure a thriving future for the sector, and deliver high quality, affordable food for British families.

The Environment Secretary will also set out plans exploring a transformation of England’s uplands, recognising the unique challenges facing the rural communities that depend on them, from poor access to services to harsh farming conditions.  

Building on research led by social entrepreneur Dr Hilary Cottam in six upland areas during the past year, the government will work over the next two years – first in Dartmoor, then Cumbria – to deliver system-wide change, create farming clusters, explore new mutual funding models, and lay the foundations for new income streams, from nature-based enterprises to regenerative tourism and circular economy initiatives. 

In an additional boost for farmers in England’s most treasured rural areas, the government will extend the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme for three years, with £30 million in funding next year alone.  

Since its launch, the programme has supported more than 11,000 farmers across 44 protected landscapes in enhancing nature recovery, tackling climate change, and preserving cultural heritage, including the planting of 362km of new hedgerows, equivalent to the distance of Oxford to Newcastle.  

These measures build on the launch of the Farming and Food Partnership Board, bringing together senior leaders from farming, food, retail, finance and government to take a joined-up, farm-to-fork approach to improving profitability. 

Alongside Baroness Minette Batters’ Farming Profitability Review, these new partnerships will help inform the government’s forthcoming 25-year Farming Roadmap, to be published later this year and setting out a clear, long-term vision for food production, environmental ambition, land use, and farm profitability.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 December 2025.

The 21-kilometre ‘Mersey Valley Way’ is set to run from Stockport through Manchester to Trafford.

• Boost for local business and people who will have better access to nature  
• The walk is first of nine to be created as part of manifesto pledge  

Communities in Greater Manchester and the northwest of England are set to benefit from a new National River Walk, stretching 21 kilometres or the length of a half marathon. 

This walk is the first of its kind and is part of the government’s manifesto pledge to create nine new walks, one for each region of England.  

As thousands of people across the country step out from their homes to enjoy walks over the festive season, this announcement will support better access to the outdoors for the people of Greater Manchester.  

The Mersey Valley Way will offer a boost for local businesses by increasing visitor footfall, complementing wider regeneration work in the area as part of a plan for national renewal.  

New signage along the route will mark out the Mersey Valley Way as a National River Walk. A competition to design the new logo for over 50 local schools and youth groups along the Mersey has been launched, with a winner to be announced in February.  

The first National River Walk comes as part of a broader effort to improve access to nature, including at least £17 million this year to make access more inclusive in our forests, alongside the announcement of two new National Forests, with a third to follow next year.  

Access Minister Baroness Hayman said:    

“Nature is a huge source of pride and enjoyment for people across the country, but too many people struggle to find ways to access the outdoors.  

“We are changing that today, delivering on our manifesto pledge by launching the first of nine new national river walks, boosting opportunities to be in nature and supporting local businesses that line the routes.  

“The Mersey Valley Way offers 21 kilometres of new paths for people in Manchester and Stockport to explore, be outdoors, and enjoy the nature on their doorstep.” 

John Sanders, Strategy and Development Director at Mersey Rivers Trust, said:

“Mersey Rivers Trust and its delivery partners are very excited that the River Mersey has been selected as the first national River Walk. Over 3 million people live within a 1-hour journey of the Mersey Valley Way, which is accessible by the Greater Manchester public transport Bee Network as well as walk, wheel and cycle routes.  Designating the Mersey Valley Way will encourage more people to access nature as well as enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time by the river”. 

The ‘Mersey Valley Way’ will have National River Walk status which brings community engagement benefits, such as guided walks and opportunities to volunteer on nature recovery work along the route with pond restoration, invasive species removal, tree planting and installation of bird, bat and insect boxes all planned. 

Stretches of the existing river path will also be upgraded to meet accessibility standards for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, prams, cyclists and horse-riders. Community engagement is a major aspect of the project, and the River Walk will be developed in consultation with community representatives and local businesses to ensure that the project benefits the local economy and people.   

People on lower incomes, on average, are spending significantly less time in nature. With around 30,000 low-income households in Stockport alone, this new River Walk will help people least likely to access the great outdoors and all of the health and wellbeing benefits it can offer. 

The government recently set out its ambition to recover nature in the revised Environmental Improvement Plan which sets out how we will tackle the nature and climate crisis, improve public health, and support sustainable growth, as well as boosting access to nature as part of the Plan for Change.  

NOTES TO EDITORS   

• The Mersey Rivers trust will be the lead delivery partner on the Mersey Valley Way, working with Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, City of Trees, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, The Conservation Volunteers, Groundwork Greater Manchester and supported by Manchester City Council and Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council.
• The next tranche of national river walks will be identified through competition bids which go live in 2026.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 22 December 2025.

The UK has secured bilateral fisheries agreements with Norway and the Faroe Islands for 2026, worth approximately £8 million in historic UK landing prices.

The agreements will grant the UK the same tonnage of Arctic stocks in Norwegian waters and of valuable stocks, including haddock and saithe, in Faroese waters in 2026 as for 2025, maintaining continuity for industry. 

The deals transfer quota to the UK of over 1,000 tonnes in Arctic stocks and over 2,000 tonnes of stocks in Faroese waters, as well as additional North Sea herring quota. 

Both agreements demonstrate the UK’s commitment to managing fisheries sustainably, supporting the long-term viability of stocks in the North Sea, and to cooperation with other parties on monitoring, control and surveillance. 

The fishing opportunities and access arrangements the UK has secured through agreements with Norway and the Faroe Islands build on other fisheries deals signed with the EU and other coastal states earlier this month, bringing the UK’s total fishing opportunities for 2026 to around £840 million based on historic landing prices. 

A Defra spokesperson said: 

These agreements deliver tangible benefits for our fishing communities and will bring in approximately £840 million in fishing opportunities for UK fishers in 2026. 

Providing stability and continuity for our fishing industry is vital so they can plan ahead, invest in their businesses, and continue supporting the coastal communities that depend on them. 

UK-Norway bilateral agreement 

The UK has secured approximately £3 million in fishing opportunities, based on historic landing prices, through quota exchanges with Norway. 

This includes fishing opportunities of Arctic stocks in Norwegian waters and an additional 657 tonnes of quota of North Sea herring, attained following the signing on 5 December 2025 of the landmark North Sea herring deal in the UK-EU-Norway trilateral negotiations. 

Industry will benefit from secured continuity of access for UK vessels of up to 30,000 tonnes for whitefish stocks in Norwegian waters. 

The UK has also established a longer-term herring agreement of up to 20,000 tonnes access in each country’s waters which will enable the UK fleet to fish Atlanto-Scandian herring in Norwegian waters.  

UK-Faroe Islands bilateral agreement 

The UK has secured over 2,000 tonnes of additional fishing opportunities in valuable Faroese stocks, worth approximately £5 million based on historic landing prices, following annual negotiations with the Faroe Islands for 2026. 

The agreement remains stable with the arrangements from 2025, maintaining continuity for the UK fleet amid challenging scientific evidence for some key stocks in UK waters in the North Sea. 

The agreement provides the UK fleet with quota in haddock, cod, saithe, blue ling, ling, redfish, flatfish and other species in Faroese waters. 

Agreed Records

The UK-Norway Agreed Record is published and available to read on GOV.UK here: Fisheries: bilateral agreement with Norway for 2026 – GOV.UK 

The UK-Faroe Islands Agreed Record for 2026 is published and available to read on GOV.UK here: Fisheries: bilateral agreement with the Faroe Islands for 2026 – GOV.UK 

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 11 December 2025.

The Colorado beetle, a major threat to potato crops, was found in Kent in 2023.

A major potato pest has been eradicated from the UK, the government has outlined today (Thursday 11 December 2025), following extensive operational investigative work and surveillance.

The Colorado beetle was discovered in Kent in July 2023 following laboratory diagnosis of samples, with one finding later that year. The beetle can completely strip the leaves from potato plants and several other crops, including tomatoes, aubergines and peppers, and can have a significant economic impact if left uncontrolled.

No further beetles have been found in the space of two years, in a boost for farmers, gardeners and allotment holders who grow potatoes. This has meant eradication status has been reached.

Colorado beetle, which does not pose a risk to human health, has previously been detected on imported plant products, such as leafy vegetables, salad leaves and fresh herbs. The beetle is highly distinctive: orange-yellow in colour with 10 characteristic black stripes on its body.

The co-operation and vigilance of farmers, gardeners and allotment holders has played a key part in the eradication campaign along with effective biosecurity measures from the Animal and Plant Health Agency and Defra.

Farming Minister Angela Eagle said:

“This is great news for British farmers. We will continue to work with partners and stakeholders to maintain UK biosecurity and protect British crops from future threats.”

Defra Chief Plant Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence said:

“Colorado beetle can pose a significant threat to plants and the wider potato industry, and I’m grateful for the role of farmers, home gardeners and allotment holders in helping us take the action needed to protect our national crops.

“This has been a huge team effort and is good news for the potato industry, but in order to prevent further outbreaks, it is vital the public continue to be vigilant and report suspected sightings to the Animal and Plant Health Agency with a photo and location details.”

Animal and Plant Health Agency Chief Executive Richard Lewis said:

“This is a significant achievement for APHA operational teams, working with Defra, the potato industry, farmers, home gardeners and allotment holders.”

Surveillance activities included regular inspections of original outbreak fields and selected potato fields in Kent to rule out incursions resulting from blow over from mainland Europe. Periodic outbreaks of the pest between 1901 and the 1970s also saw it swiftly eradicated due to inspections and public vigilance.

Additional information:

• If you find what you suspect to be a Colorado beetle in England and Wales, please do not let it go – capture it in a secure container and report any suspected sightings to APHA as soon as possible by telephoning 0300 1000 313 or by emailing the planthealth.info@apha.gov.uk mailbox. All sightings should include a photograph and location details.
• You can see what the beetle looks like via Defra’s plant pest factsheet.
• For Scotland, contact the Scottish Government’s Horticulture and Marketing Unit: For agricultural crops contact the local RPID officer: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/AOcontacts/contacts. For non-agricultural crops, email: hort.marketing@gov.scot 
• For Northern Ireland, contact the DAERA Plant Health Inspection Branch: Tel: 0300 200 7847 Email: planthealth@daera-ni.gov.uk Website: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/topics/plant-and-tree-health
  The Colorado beetle does not represent a risk to human health.
• The Colorado beetle plant pest factsheet provides more information about the beetle’s life cycle and provides information on how to differentiate it from some of our native beetle species.
• Public awareness campaigns have included APHA’s Gold award-winning Colorado beetle exhibit at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which was visited by King Charles III.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 December 2025.

Consultation launched to review contract practices in the combinable crops sector, building on Fair Dealing reforms in dairy, pigs, eggs and fresh produce sectors.

Arable farmers are set for stronger protections under a new government review into unfair practices in the combinable crops supply chain, Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle has announced.

The work of the sector, covering crops such as wheat, barley, oilseeds and pulses, underpins domestic food, feed and fuel production. Improving fairness will help ensure resilient domestic production and support the long-term health of the food system.

An eight-week consultation, launched today (Wednesday 10 December), will seek views on issues such as clarity of standards, sampling and testing procedures, supply volumes, data sharing and dispute resolution, to inform proposals for clearer contracts and fairer treatment for producers.

The consultation looks to ensure farmers always receive a transparent price for their produce and understand which factors determine it. Fairness within the agricultural supply chain is a key priority for the government and integral to food security.

Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said:

Farmers should have confidence that the contracts they sign are fair and transparent and work as they should.

Our strong food system needs to be built on solid foundations with farmers treated fairly. This consultation is a chance for growers to tell us where changes are needed in their supply chain.

By improving clarity and ensuring fair and transparent contracts, we’re backing British producers through our Plan for Change, strengthening our food security and supporting a resilient future for the sector.

The action forms part of the government’s New Deal for Farmers and builds on Fair Dealing rules already introduced for dairy and pigs, with work under way for eggs and fresh produce. The government is committed to tackling contractual unfairness wherever it exists through its Fair Dealings Regulations, which are enforced by its Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator.

The launch of the consultation also complements wider work to protect farmers in trade deals, strengthen supply chain resilience, lower costs for consumers, and deliver a thriving, innovative food sector through the Good Food Cycle.

Following recent reforms and continued collaboration with devolved governments, this latest step will help build a more transparent and competitive supply chain that benefits farmers and the public alike.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 1 December 2025.

New plan sets course for cleaner rivers and air, as well as more nature and wildlife in England.

• Targeted and measured delivery plans to set out progress towards environmental targets while supporting economic growth
• £500 million to supercharge landscape-scale nature recovery across England

People across England will benefit from cleaner air and water under a strengthened plan to restore the natural environment, backed by hundreds of millions of pounds to revive iconic landscapes.  

The revised Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), published today (Monday 1 December), sets out an ambitious five-year roadmap to tackle the nature and climate crisis, improve public health, and support sustainable growth.  

Communities will see improved air quality thanks to action on fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) – a harmful pollutant linked to asthma, lung disease, and heart conditions. Under a new interim target, population exposure to PM2.5 will be cut by 30% by 2030, compared to 2018 levels – supporting better quality of life and reducing pressure on the NHS.  

Nature will be boosted with a quarter of a million hectares of wildlife-rich habitats created or restored by 2030 – an area larger than Greater London. This is 110,000 hectares of habitat more than had been previously committed, supporting our aims for a healthier environment, which is essential to growth.    

A new target to halve the presence of damaging invasive species compared to 25 years ago will protect native wildlife and farmers’ livelihoods. This will help prevent new invasive species from becoming established and manage existing invaders like the American Signal Crayfish and Japanese Knotweed.   

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said:    

Our environment faces real challenges, with pollution in our waterways, air quality that’s too low in many areas, and treasured species in decline.   

This plan marks a step change in restoring nature. Our ambitious targets are backed by real action to cut harmful air pollutants, revive habitats and protect the environment for generations to come. 

The plan is being supported with new headline commitments and funding announced today. This includes:  

• £500 million for Landscape Recovery projects, bringing together farmers and land managers to restore nature at scale, creating wildlife-rich environments, reducing flood risk and improving water quality while unlocking economic opportunities through green jobs and nature-based solutions that support rural prosperity  
• £85 million to improve and restore peatlands, reducing flooding in communities, improving water quality and supporting public health through cleaner air and enhanced access to green spaces for physical and mental wellbeing. This comes alongside £3 million to improve access to nature in Public Forest Estates through facilities including accessible bike trails and all-terrain mobility equipment. 
• First-ever plan to reduce risks from ‘forever chemicals’ (PFAS) to health and the environment, with a review of sewage sludge spreading rules to ensure sustainable practices  
• New Trees Action Plan and measures to reduce damaging methane emissions, particularly from agriculture, alongside exploring new domestic combustion measures to drive climate progress  
• Environment Act target delivery plans published for the first time, providing clear progress tracking and fixing the lack of rigour in the previous plan  

The publication follows wider government action on nature and biodiversity, including the reintroduction of beavers to the wild, a commitment to end bee-killing pesticides, and the launch of two National Forests.  

Government will now work with individuals, communities, farmers, businesses and local authorities to deliver the plan, driving economic growth through green jobs and innovation while ensuring future generations benefit from a greener and more prosperous country.  

Landscape Recovery is one of the government nature-friendly farming schemes, alongside Countryside Stewardship and the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which also deliver positive outcomes for nature and sustainable food production. Over half of farmland is already in one of these schemes, with an improved SFI offer opening next year. 

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 25 November 2025.

392 bathing waters in England are rated ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’, demonstrating the impact of designation, regulation and partnership working.

The Environment Agency has today (25 November) published the 2025 bathing water classifications for 449 designated bathing sites in England. 87% meet standards for ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’ classification, an improvement on 2024, meaning swimmers can benefit from a higher number of better-quality bathing sites than last year. 

Overall, 417 bathing waters (93%), were rated ‘Excellent’, ‘Good’ or ‘Sufficient’, representing a slight rise on 2024. 297 sites achieved an ‘Excellent’ rating this year, compared to 289 in 2024, while 32 sites were classified as ‘Poor’, a decrease on 37 last year.  

Bathing water quality in England has improved dramatically since the 1990s, following decades of regulation, investment and partnership work. 

These results are based on the last four years of testing by the Environment Agency which monitors for indicators of pollution known to be associated with risks to bathers’ health, specifically E. coli and intestinal enterococci. 

Each bathing water has its own pressures, and many factors can influence bathing water quality including storm overflows, agricultural runoff, birds, dogs and other local issues. 

Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:

Bathing water quality in England has improved significantly over recent decades, and this year’s results show the continued impact of strong regulation, investment and partnership working. 

But we know there is more to do, and the new bathing water reforms will strengthen the way these much-loved places are managed.  

The Environment Agency is working closely with Defra to ensure these changes are implemented effectively whilst our teams continue to work with water companies, farmers, councils and local groups to tackle all sources of pollution and support continued progress across sites.

The Environment Agency works closely with local partners at priority sites to tackle all factors influencing water quality. Goring beach in West Sussex is a good example of this partnership working – following EA sampling and information sharing, awareness campaigns by Worthing Borough Council, and Southern Water fixing misconnections, the bathing water has achieved a ‘Good’ classification this year. 

Alongside the annual classifications, the government’s new Bathing Water Regulation reforms came into force on 21 November. These reforms are designed to change the ‘one size fits all’ approach and more closely reflect how people use our beaches, lakes and rivers. 

The reforms include: 

• We’ve ended the old rule that automatically removed a bathing water’s status after five years of ‘Poor’ ratings in a row. Now, when a site is struggling regulators will look at the issues affecting the water quality and, where possible, work towards finding realistic options for improving it.  
• We’re bringing in more flexibility to monitoring dates – so that testing can be adapted to suit individual sites and better match when people actually use the water. 
• A third reform, which will look at new criteria for bathing waters, will come into force in May 2026 to allow guidance to be fully developed. 

Water Minister Emma Hardy said: 

Our bathing waters are at the heart of so many communities, and these reforms will help people experience the benefits of our beautiful waters and connect with nature.  

By ending automatic de-designation and bringing in more flexibility to when waters are monitored, we’re creating a system that reflects how people actually use their local rivers, lakes and beaches. 

These changes sit alongside our wider action to clean up our waterways so communities across the country can enjoy the places they care about most. 

Defra and the Environment Agency are encouraging people to use Swimfo, the EA’s online service providing the latest information on bathing water quality and incidents, helping the public make informed decisions about where and when to swim. 

Notes to Editors 

• To protect our waterways and the health of swimmers, the Environment Agency monitors the water quality at more than 400 designated beaches and inland waters across England. We do this through a robust sampling programme – as set out in law in the Bathing Water Regulations. 
• The Environment Agency classifies England’s bathing waters each year as ‘Excellent’, ‘Good’, ‘Sufficient’ or ‘Poor’, based on four years of monitoring data. 
• Monitoring runs throughout the bathing season and samples are assessed for Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci for classification purposes. 
• The 2025 classifications cover 449 designated bathing waters in England. 
• The Environment Agency is working with local partners to take targeted action to improve water quality at bathing waters classified as ‘Poor’. 
• Bathing water designations are made by the Secretary of State for Defra following local applications and public consultation. 
• The Bathing Water Regulations reforms came into force on 21 November, ending automatic de-designation after five consecutive Poor classifications and introducing flexibility for site-specific bathing seasons, which means that sites can apply to change the boundaries of their bathing season. 
• De-designation is now a case-by-case ministerial decision. 
• A further reform updating designation criteria will come into force in May 2026 after guidance is finalised. 
• Members of the public can access up-to-date bathing water information, including the 2025 classifications, via the Environment Agency’s Swimfo service.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 24 November 2025.

UK accelerates global leadership on nature at COP30.

• First company – a British startup – contributes to the Cali Fund paving the way for others to do the same and mobilise private sector finance for nature at scale 
• Minister for Nature works with global partners to mobilise finance for nature, promote sustainable farming for food security and takes action to protect our oceans. 

The UK Government has taken bold and ambitious action to protect and restore nature at the COP30 climate meeting.  

UK representatives have championed the protection and restoration of critical ecosystems around the world, and the essential work we’re doing back home to restore our forests, landscapes and seas for the British people as part of the Plan for Change.  

During COP30, the first payment to the Cali Fund – by a British business – was announced. This marks a major milestone since its launch earlier this year. The Fund enables companies – such as pharmaceutical and biotech companies – to share profits with Indigenous Peoples and local communities who protect the nature that provides genetic resources for their products.

The UK is working closely with the private sector and other governments to support effective implementation of the Fund, including through the Friends of the Cali Fund, and this first contribution is a real milestone in these efforts.  

UK-based startup Tierra Viva AI proudly kickstarts contributions to the Cali Fund, paving the way for others to follow and contribute to the Fund at scale.  

Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:  

British families are already feeling the impact of climate change – from flooding that destroys homes to heatwaves that put vulnerable people at risk.  

We cannot tackle nature loss and climate change in isolation; in Brazil we have built the global coalition for ambitious action on nature which is the only way to protect our home for future generations

Ruth Davis, Special Representative for Nature said:  

The UK has demonstrated technical expertise and worked alongside our global partners to put nature on the agenda, but there is more to do, and we must now amplify the momentum for action at scale on climate and nature.

This isn’t just about doing the right thing for the planet. Building a stronger and fairer global economy will unlock enormous economic opportunities – we know that investing in nature creates jobs and accelerates growth with new opportunities attracting millions in investment.

At COP30, the UK government has made further commitments to halt and reverse nature loss This includes: 

• Launching the UK-Brazil Fertilisers Declaration – a global push to cut emissions from fertiliser production and use. It’s about improving food security and protecting jobs and growth by supporting farmers’ resilience and boosting agricultural productivity. 
• Joining the Saltmarsh Breakthrough – protecting these vital coastal ecosystems which anchor key marine food chains, shield communities from floods and lock away more carbon than most forests.
• Becoming a Food Waste Breakthrough Country Champion – driving the global goal to halve food waste by 2030 and cutting methane emissions by keeping food waste out of landfills.   
• Nature actions – COP30 showcased the UK’s role in advancing the global ‘nature actions agenda’. The summit saw the Independent Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits launch its Nature Markets Policy Forum with the UK, France and Indonesia joining as founding members, helping to unlock innovation and investment in high integrity nature credit markets.
• Congo call to action – The UK also furthered its long-standing partnership with the Congo Basin region, joining a Call to Action, to ensure the world recognises the importance of Congo’s forests and funds solutions developed by Congolese institutions and communities.

The UK’s leadership at COP30 echoes our commitments to support the environment at home.  

We announced that the second National Forest will be in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, where millions of trees will be planted as part of a wider commitment to allocate over £1 billion this parliament to tree planting. This will support nature recovery, green jobs, and net zero goals.  

Further detail on this government’s plan to restore the environment will be set out in the upcoming Environmental Improvement Plan, which will outline the next phase of the UK’s nature recovery ambitions.