Tag: Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

The press release issued by the Department For Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 26 May 2026.

Government commits up to £7.5 million and calls for delivery partners to submit bids to help deliver landmark new forest covering more than 200 square miles.

The creation of a third new national forest has taken an exciting step forward today (Tuesday 26 May), with the government committing up to £7.5 million over a five-year period to support the project. This marks continued progress towards fully delivering the government’s manifesto commitment to create three new national forests in England. 

The new national forest – to be located in either the Midlands or North of England – is expected to be between up to 600 square miles in scale, large enough to make a significant long-term contribution to tree-planting targets, while sitting comfortably within the area’s existing landscape and local identity. Eligible organisations across the Midlands and North of England are invited to submit bids to become a delivery partner. 

The third new national forest will have a particular focus on improving health outcomes for communities, with low-income communities disproportionately feeling the impacts of poor access to green and blue spaces. There is compelling evidence that access to woodland and green spaces delivers substantial public health benefits, including: 

• better mental health and reduced healthcare costs 
• increased physical activity and chronic disease prevention 
• cardiovascular benefits and stress relief 
• stronger social connections and community engagement 
• cognitive development in children and young people 

Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:

In our manifesto we promised three new national forests, and after the Western Forest and the OxCam arc forest we’re looking for England’s newest forest in the Midlands or the North.

Too many communities can’t access the green spaces that benefit mental and physical health. This new national forest will help change that, and I encourage every eligible organisation with the vision and expertise to come forward.

The National Forest in the Midlands has demonstrated what is possible, planting 10 million trees to transform the landscape, increasing tree canopy and woodland cover from 6% to 26%, and supporting more than 5,000 jobs in the visitor economy.

Delivery partners for the third new national forest will work with Defra and the National Forest Company to help identify and establish the forest, providing targeted economic, environmental, and social benefits. 

National Forest Company Chief Executive John Everitt said:

Opening the competition for the third new national forest is a major milestone in accelerating our tree planting ambitions. We are looking forward to seeing some strong applications that can make a real difference for the health and wellbeing of communities across the Midlands and North of England.

The government is keen to prioritise locations and approaches that best demonstrate how a richer, more accessible natural environment can improve health and wellbeing for the people who need it most. 

This investment forms part of the government’s commitment to the largest ever investment in nature, with over £1 billion invested in tree planting and support for the forestry sector this parliament. This will make a significant contribution to Environment Act targets, including the statutory target to increase tree canopy and woodland cover to 16.5% by 2050. It will also contribute to the government’s target to halt the decline of species and protect 30% of land for nature by 2030.  

New national forests will accelerate progress towards woodland creation targets, while shaping policy innovation that speeds up tree planting delivery across the country. 

This announcement builds on significant progress already made. Planting has already begun at the Western Forest — the first new national forest in more than 30 years — which will see more than 20 million trees planted across Bristol, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset by 2050. A competition for a delivery partner for the second new national forest in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor has also recently taken place, with more details to follow in due course. 

Additional information:

• The third new national forest is expected to be between 200 and 600 square miles in scale. 
• Bids to become the Delivery Partner can be submitted from 26 May. The window to submit bids for the first stage of the competition will be open for 6 weeks and will close on 7 July.
• Further information on how organisations can apply can be found at X (add link on Tues morning once live). 
• The government has committed over £1 billion to tree planting and the forestry sector this parliament.
• The Environment Act target is to increase tree canopy and woodland cover to 16.5% of total land area in England by 2050.
• The existing National Forest in the Midlands has seen 10 million trees planted, with tree canopy and woodland cover increasing from 6% to over 26%.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 25 May 2026.

£30 million investment important step toward protecting 30% of England’s land for nature by 2030.

Precious wildlife habitat in our most important places for nature is set to be restored thanks to a new government fund, Nature Minister Mary Creagh announced today (Monday 25 May).  

The government will invest £30 million to restore and create wildlife-rich habitats across England’s most iconic landscapes from the wilds of Dartmoor to the rugged Lake District. 

Our protected landscapes act as vital havens for the country’s most threatened species such as hedgehogs, hazel dormouse, water vole, and rare birds like the curlew and turtle dove, with habitat degradation being one of the main drivers for their decline. 

The new Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund will deliver thousands of hectares of new habitat across England’s National Parks, National Landscapes, and the Broads over three years, helping to bring nature back to the places people love most.  

The scale and ambition of projects that will soon be underway illustrates what investing in nature can achieve. For example, the Peak District National Park Authority is working with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, volunteers and contractors to start the transformation of over 80 hectares of upland moorland at Gun Moor. Following years of degradation with the Moor’s deep peat drying out and wildlife retreating, the project is restoring 24 hectares of wet heath, re-wetting deep peat, and establishing a new area of native woodland on the lower slopes. More funding means more projects like this getting off the ground.   

Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:  

“Our national parks and protected landscapes are home to some of our most marginal species. Our Wild Again funding is already turning the tide on their decline. It will mean more birdsong, flower meadows full of bees and butterflies, and new areas of native woodlands.” 

“We’re funding this recovery with the highest ever budget for nature, field by field, across England’s most iconic and beautiful landscapes”. 

Mary-Ann Ochota, Independent Chair of the Protected Landscapes Partnership, said:  

“This multi-year investment in Wildlife-Rich Habitats is brilliant news. Protected Landscapes teams are empowered to make smart, efficient decisions, and support will reach local delivery partners quickly. These teams know their landscapes, understand the potential for change and can work together to achieve the best outcomes.   

“Locally rooted, trust-building partnerships are key. The result? Thriving, wildlife-rich landscapes, nurtured and cherished by farmers, land managers and local communities. It’s the very essence of why National Parks and National Landscapes exist”.   

Protected Landscape organisations will work closely with other conservation organisations, farmers and land managers, and the local communities who know their landscapes best.      

The funding announced today follows a £90 million commitment made in March to fund species recovery projects, the largest investment ever announced in species recovery by a government as part of our Wild Again drive aiming to restore our nature and return lost species including beavers and white-tailed eagles. 

The Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund forms part of Wild Again: Restoring England’s Wildlife, the government’s umbrella campaign to halt species decline by 2030, bringing together species recovery and habitat restoration work across Defra and its arm’s-length bodies.   

This will help meet our international commitment to protect 30% land for nature and our legal Environment Act target to restore over 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat by 2042. 

Joan Edwards, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at The Wildlife Trusts, said:  

‘‘Generations have been inspired by the wonderful wild animals and plants they find in England’s National Parks and Landscapes. However, these special connections with nature have been fraying, as climate change, land use pressures and pollution take their toll, and nature declines across the country.   

“Today’s announcement of £30 million of new funding to help wildlife recover in protected landscapes is much needed if we are to reverse this loss and empower people to restore more habitats in cherished National Parks and Landscapes. With nature underpinning our economy, health and future resilience as a nation, there is still lots to do if we are to bring flourishing wildlife and habitats back and achieve vital Environment Act targets. This new funding is step towards delivering on that ambition.’’  

Martin Lines, CEO of the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN), said:   

“This funding is a positive recognition that farmers are essential partners in protecting and restoring the habitats that make our protected landscapes so special. Through the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) scheme, farming businesses have already shown how productive farming and nature recovery can go hand in hand – creating and caring for habitats that support rare wildlife, strengthen landscapes and benefit local communities.”  
 
“We warmly welcome this announcement, which reinforces the importance of farmers as key partners in restoring and protecting our most treasured landscapes. When farmers are trusted and supported to lead, nature can recover at scale.” 

Additional information: 

• The Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund provides £30 million in ring-fenced funding – £10 million per financial year – from 2026 to 2029. 
• 36 of England’s 44 Protected Landscapes are participating in the first year with every project funded rooted in local priorities. 
• The fund is delivered through the existing Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme infrastructure. 
• The fund is separate from and does not affect the farming budget or the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme. 
• Projects will be prioritised in line with Protected Landscapes management plans and Local Nature Recovery Strategies. 
• The fund forms part of the government’s broader programme of action to restore nature, alongside the Environmental Improvement Plan, the Land Use Framework and new legislation to strengthen the purposes and powers of National Parks and National Landscapes.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 14 May 2026.

Designated sites include first-ever site on the River Thames in London.

Today (Friday 15 May) 13 new bathing sites open across the country, helping to restore pride in local areas, giving a boost to outdoor and swimming groups, and protecting cherished rivers and beaches.   

The sites, including the first-ever on the River Thames in London, have now officially received designated status as the bathing water season begins.    

The 13 new sites take the total to over 460 bathing waters, covering nearly every coastal county in England as well as several more inland swimming spots.   

They will be rigorously and regularly tested by the Environment Agency throughout the bathing season meaning swimmers are better informed about water quality, and can swim with greater confidence.   

The designations follow a public consultation with each site receiving overwhelming public support, with 90% of responders in favour of designation and a record number endorsing the Ham & Kingston site.   

The Government’s commitment to improving water quality and expanding monitoring is delivering clear results for swimmers and the environment, with four in five bathing sites being rated as either ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’.    

Water Minister Emma Hardy said:    

The introduction of these new bathing sites means better monitoring of our waterways, a boost for local tourism, and greater confidence for local swimmers.    

Following years of indifference towards bathing waters, this government has expanded the number of sites as part of our overhaul of the water sector.   

We’re committed to generational reform of our water industry and won’t stop until the job is done.

The Environment Agency regularly monitors water quality at designated bathing water sites and assesses whether action is needed to cut pollution levels – working with local communities, farmers, and water companies to improve water quality at these locations.  

What that means is environmental officers on site every week at each of these locations throughout the summer, taking and assessing water samples, and publishing that information online for the benefit of swimmers.  

Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:  

The growing number of designations across the country reflects the importance communities place in their local environment and water quality.  

If you’re planning on going open water swimming this summer, I’d advise everyone to get informed – checking water quality and conditions before you go.  

Across the bathing water season, Environment Agency teams will be out conducting over 7000 tests across over 460 locations. Through strong regulation and the right data, we will continue to drive improvements to bathing water quality, working closely with local partners to direct investment and target action in the right places.

The filming location for the iconic ITV drama Broadchurch in Bridport, Dorset is another confirmed bathing water site. Government will also provide funding towards signage to ensure people have clear access to these new sites.  

Sites also play a vital role in connecting people with nature – bringing important social and health benefits and helping towns prosper through increased tourism, delivering on the government’s wider commitment to empower communities to shape how their local environment is protected and enjoyed.   

These new designations come alongside recent changes to the bathing water regulations that will modernise the system, helping to ensure it is fit for today and reflects how people use rivers and beaches.  

Last year, 93% of England’s bathing waters met acceptable standards for swimming, with 87% rated as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’. The government’s new Bathing Water Regulation reforms will allow us to move away from a ‘one size fits all’ approach to better reflect how people use our beaches, lakes and rivers.    

This announcement is in line with the upcoming Clean Water Bill, announced this week in the King’s Speech, which will continue momentum on once‑in‑a‑generation reforms to end weak oversight, stop water companies marking their own homework and restore public trust.  

Supportive quotes: 

Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy Mete Coban said:  

The announcement of the first-ever river swimming site on the River Thames in London is a moment of celebration for Londoners and highlights the role of community groups in helping to make London’s rivers and waterways cleaner and more accessible spaces.  

There is still more work to be done, and the Mayor and I are committed to improving water quality in all the capital’s waterways. This is why we are launching the Clean and Healthy Waterways plan in the summer to ensure they are safe and welcoming spaces for all, as we continue to build a better, greener London for everyone.

Ben Seal, Head of Access & Environment, Paddle UK said:  

The designation of these 13 new bathing sites, is another positive step forward in protecting our precious waters. For the millions of people who love being in, on, and beside the water, access to safe, regularly monitored blue space is vital. This expansion ensures that more communities can be better informed when choosing where and when to access the water. Furthermore, the overwhelming public demand for these new designated sites just proves how passionate the public is about being and being active in blue spaces.  

Together, the increase in designated bathing water sites and the Clean Water Bill represent a historic opportunity to secure healthy, pollution-free waters for everyone to enjoy.

Marlene Lawrence, Leader and Founder of the Teddington Bluetits chill swimmers, said:   

We are absolutely delighted to have achieved Bathing Water status for the Thames at Ham and Kingston.  The river is widely used by all ages to swim, row, paddle and sail, and it is wonderful to have such a natural resource to use to enhance our health and mental well-being.   

With water testing throughout the bathing water season, I really want to encourage more people to enjoy leisure time in and on the Thames here.

Notes to editors:  

Designated Bathing Waters are regularly tested for water quality throughout the bathing season (15 May – 30 September).  

The confirmed sites include:    

1. Little Shore, Amble, Northumberland, a crescent of sand between the River Coquet and the North Sea popular with locals   
2. Newton and Noss Creeks, Devon, a narrow tidal inlet just off the River Yealm in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty   
3. Canvey Island Foreshore, Essex, a unique family favourite sandy beach.     
4. Sandgate Granville Parade Beach, Kent, shingle beach enjoyed by swimmers, and kayakers.    
5. Queen Elizabeth Gardens Salisbury, Wiltshire, one of Salisbury’s most cherished parks opened in the early 1960s to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II   
6. East Beach at West Bay, Bridport, Dorset, filming location for the iconic ITV drama Broadchurch.    
7. Pangbourne Meadow, Berkshire, a meadow and river in the area that inspired The Wind in the Willows   
8. River Fowey in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, a scenic tidal river, flowing through the heart of the town   
9. River Swale in Richmond, Yorkshire, with dramatic waterfalls over limestone steps   
10. Falcon Meadow, Bungay, Suffolk, a riverside community space on the River Waveney   
11. River Thames at Ham and Kingston, Greater London, London’s first river bathing site on the Thames   
12. New Brighton Beach (East), Merseyside, a sandy seaside resort at the mouth of the Mersey Estuary   
13. River Dee at Sandy Lane, Chester, Cheshire, a popular spot for families and water sports   

The Bathing Water Regulations were updated in November 2025, introducing changes that prioritise public safety and water quality. We are now working towards implementing the reforms. The Bathing Water Reforms include:    

• removing the automatic de-designation of sites that have been classified as ‘poor’ for five years running. Now waters with the potential to recover aren’t abandoned prematurely.  
• prior to designation, consideration will now be given to the feasibility of a site’s ability to achieve the “sufficient” standard, as well as any known significant risks to the physical safety of bathers arising from the site, and wider environmental impacts.  
• opportunity for flexible, site‑specific bathing seasons, allowing monitoring to align with when people actually use the water.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 14 May 2026.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds visits Northern Ireland to highlight how a UK-EU food and drink deal will cut red tape, lower costs and keep trade flowing.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds is visiting Northern Ireland this week to meet farmers, growers and businesses at the heart of its agri-food sector and discuss the benefits of the new UK–EU food and drink deal.

Northern Ireland already benefits from full EU market access, thanks to its unique position under the Windsor Framework. But for the first time since EU Exit, most food and drink goods moving from GB to NI will no longer require checks, including regulatory certificates that can cost between £80 and £200 each, saving businesses millions every year. Over the last three years, these charges for Export Health Certificates have cost businesses between £13m and £32m.

By cutting “paperwork tax” an SPS agreement will make trade easier for businesses, help British produce reach European markets and could help bring down the cost of food and drink.

The new SPS agreement is part of rebuilding the UK’s relationship with Europe in a way that strengthens the economy and supports trade, with the potential to boost UK GDP by up to £5.1 billion a year.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said:

We are cutting red tape and scrapping unnecessary checks, making it easier and cheaper to keep goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland’s food and drink businesses deserve a better deal. That means protecting the UK internal market, supporting businesses and giving families more choice, availability and value across Northern Ireland.

At the Balmoral Show on Thursday 14 May – Northern Ireland’s premier farming event – the Environment Secretary will meet stallholders and sector representatives from across the farming and horticultural communities, who will benefit from the removal of certification requirements for plants, seeds and used agricultural and forestry machinery. 

Northern Ireland Office Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Minister Matthew Patrick will also meet with farming community representatives and businesses at the Balmoral Show. He said:

Northern Ireland’s agrifood sector is of great importance to the UK economy and to our food security, and I’ve been hugely impressed by the high-quality produce on offer at the Balmoral Show.

It’s great that this deal will provide real benefits for consumers, helping to ensure availability and cut costs at a time when many are facing cost of living pressures.

The Environment Secretary and Borders Minister Baroness Hayman will also chair a roundtable discussion with members of the Confederation of British Industry, ensuring Northern Ireland businesses are represented in a deal that will cut paperwork, support choice and availability on supermarket shelves, and help ease food price inflation for families across Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Eddie Murphy, Country Director for M&S Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: 

We have over 20 stores and work with nearly 2,000 Select Farm partners in Northern Ireland.

This deal will remove unnecessary bureaucracy and reduce cost pressures, helping us to go further in offering Northern Irish customers the very best of M&S by speeding up the flow of goods and access to fresh produce.

The visit comes as the European Partnership Bill was announced at the State Opening of Parliament yesterday, kickstarting the legislative framework needed to implement the agreement and allow businesses to start realising its benefits from mid‑2027.

Along with the removal of the vast majority of food and drink checks, the new agreement will also dramatically reduce costs, paperwork and checks on flowers, plants and seeds moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, while final restrictions on the movement of certain tree species will disappear.

Together, these changes will support Northern Ireland’s farmers, gardeners, garden centres, environmental projects and rural businesses, ensuring they can benefit fully from smoother trade with Great Britain.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• The Windsor Framework facilitates Northern Ireland’s ability to trade freely within both the UK internal market and the EU Single Market. This will remain in place, addressing NI’s unique dual market access and safeguarding the Good Friday agreement.  

What businesses in Northern Ireland can do now

• While negotiations continue, businesses can take practical steps to get ready:
• Engage with their relevant trade body or industry association: They will be key partners in providing sector-specific guidance and many are already working with government to help members prepare.
• Engage with your supply chain: To understand any changes that may apply to them.
• Sign up to Defra email alerts here for regular updates: To receive the latest information on negotiations, implementation timelines, and details of guidance and support available.
• Detailed guidance will be published as negotiations progress to ensure businesses across Northern Ireland – from farmers and processors to retailers and hauliers – are ready to benefit from day one.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 14 May 2026.

New strategy launched to strengthen UK preparedness against African and classical swine fever.

Plans to strengthen protections for pig farmers and industry have been stepped up today (Thursday 14 May) as the government introduces new measures in the event of a swine fever outbreak.

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a disease which affects pigs and wild boar and in recent years it has been circulating in parts of Asia and Africa, leading to the deaths of millions of pigs worldwide and causing significant disruption to the meat trade. The disease has also spread to parts of Europe through the movement of wild boar and human actions including moving infected meat.

Whilst there has never been an outbreak of ASF in the UK, the updated control strategy is an important part of the government’s plans to prevent and respond to a potential future outbreak. 

The revised strategy introduces a more flexible, risk-based framework designed to control disease effectively without imposing severe restrictions on famers and producers. It reflects the latest scientific and veterinary evidence and aligns with international best practice. 

A central feature of the update is the introduction of additional restricted zones (Restricted Zones 1, 2 and 3), which can be deployed depending on the situation. This will help farmers avoid blanket movement restrictions on live pigs and pork products, reducing pressures such as overcrowding and enabling day-to-day operations to continue more smoothly. 

The strategy, developed jointly with Scottish and Welsh Governments, also strengthens surveillance requirements. Veterinary inspectors will carry out visits to premises within disease control zones to verify compliance, while enhanced testing will support earlier detection of infection. These measures are expected to provide greater confidence in disease freedom, allowing restrictions to be lifted sooner. 

Risk-based movement licensing has been expanded to support both welfare and business continuity. Under veterinary oversight, pigs may be moved within zones for welfare reasons or to complete production cycles, helping to prevent overcrowding and maintain appropriate housing conditions. 

Biosecurity Minister Baroness Hayman said:

This updated strategy reflects our commitment to working in partnership with farmers and the wider pig industry to manage disease risks effectively and protect a sector worth over £8 billion.  

These changes will help reduce unnecessary pressures on farmers and producers, maintain high standards of welfare, and ensure we are well prepared to respond quickly and confidently to any outbreak.

UK Chief  Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, said:  

Our updated swine fever disease control strategy will ensure that we are better prepared than ever before to respond swiftly and effectively to a potential outbreak of African and classical swine fevers.  

Enhanced surveillance and flexible movement licensing will help us detect disease earlier and protect our national herd whilst maintain essential farming operations in a biosecure manner. Whilst the disease is not present in Great Britain, we encourage all farmers to maintain strong biosecurity standards and familiarise themselves with the new measures.

Further updates include: 

• A clearer framework for implementing a national movement ban, ensuring restrictions are proportionate and lifted as soon as conditions allow.
• Greater flexibility in meat controls, allowing certain products from restricted zones to remain commercially viable under specific conditions.
• Detailed guidance on cleansing and disinfection procedures, helping producers plan for safe and timely restocking.

The duration of disease control zones has also been revised. For example, the minimum period for protection zones has been reduced to 15 days, down from 30-45, following initial cleansing and disinfection, subject to surveillance outcomes. This is expected to significantly reduce welfare pressures on farms while maintaining robust disease safeguards. 

The updated framework also strengthens the UK’s ability to apply regionalisation principles, helping to protect trade by enabling disease-free areas to continue exporting safely during an outbreak. 

ASF poses no risk to human health as it only affects pigs and related animals. Everyone can help to stop the spread of ASF to the UK by doing the following: 

• If you have visited ASF-affected areas in Europe, or elsewhere in the world, you must not bring any pork or pork products back to the UK. 
• Disposing of leftovers or food waste in secure bins that pigs or wildlife cannot access. 
• Farmers, the public and members of the food industry should practise high biosecurity standards, including never feeding catering waste, kitchen scraps or meat products to pigs which is illegal and can spread the disease. 

The Government continually monitors disease outbreaks around the world to assess whether there may be risks for the UK and takes action to limit the risk of the disease reaching our shores. 

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 17 April 2026.

Dame Helen Ghosh has been named as the preferred candidate to succeed Dame Glenys Stacey as Chair of the Office for Environmental Protection,.

Dame Helen has been selected by the Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds and by Andrew Muir, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) following a rigorous process conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Emma Reynolds has invited both the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee and the Environmental Audit Committee to hold a joint pre-appointment hearing and to report on the suitability of Dame Helen for the post.

Pre-appointment scrutiny is an important part of the appointment process for some of the most significant public appointments made by Ministers. It is designed to provide an added level of scrutiny, to verify that the recruitment meets the principles set out in the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Pre-appointment hearings are held in public and allow a Select Committee to take evidence from a Minister’s preferred candidate before they are appointed. The Select Committee will then publish a report setting out their views on the candidate’s suitability for the post. Ministers consider the Committee’s views before deciding whether to proceed with the appointment.

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity, if any declared, to be made public. Dame Helen has not declared any significant political activity in the past five years.

Subject to the outcome of the pre-appointment hearing and the final decision of the Environment Secretary and Minister Muir, Dame Helen is expected to take up the post on 1 June 2026.

Biographical details of Dame Helen Ghosh:

As the Master of Balliol College in Oxford University from 2018 to 2026, Dame Helen Ghosh held various senior roles in the governance of the University as well as taking on the role of Chair of the Conference of Colleges. She previously spent six years as Director General of the National Trust and has held several senior roles in the Civil Service, including as Director General at HMRC, and as Permanent Secretary at both Defra and the Home Office. Dame Helen also has a wealth of experience as a non-executive, including seven years as a Trustee on the Board of Action for Conservation.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 13 April 2026.

Local communities, water quality and wildlife will benefit from a record £8.5 million paid by water companies into environmental restoration projects as part of a strengthened crackdown on pollution and poor performance across the sector.  

This compares to £5.8 million the year before, a 47% increase, and just under £2 million in the 2023/24 financial year. 

The Environment Agency ensures this record funding goes directly to charities and projects that restore the harm done to waterways and improve water quality, working to leave them in a better position than before any incident.  

The funding supports a wide range of local environmental improvements, including habitat restoration and river recovery projects. This will help rebuild habitats for threatened species like water voles and salmon that pollution has driven from Britain’s waterways. 

Enforcement Undertakings are legally binding agreements between the Environment Agency and companies that have breached environmental rules. The undertaking requires the company concerned to take steps to prevent repetition of the offending and to put right the damage it has caused. Often this will involve a payment to a third-party wildlife trust or environmental charity.  This money can help deliver immediate benefits to the environment, without requiring lengthy and uncertain court proceedings – complementing the EA’s wider enforcement action against serial offenders. 

Water Minister Emma Hardy said:  

Water companies must be held to account when they break the law. 

This enforcement action will see millions go directly into projects that clean up our rivers, restore habitats and benefit local communities, delivering immediate benefits without lengthy court cases. 

It comes alongside other government action to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. We’ve already banned unfair bonuses and introduced landmark legislation to hold water companies to account, and our long-term reforms will mean there is a new, single regulator focused on preventing problems before they occur.

Severn Trent Water paid the most through Enforcement Undertakings in the period, totalling £4,627,424. All of this money was directed to local charities including the Trent Rivers Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, who have the expertise to deliver targeted improvements in the affected catchments through measures such as habitat restoration, barrier removal and water quality improvements. 

Elsewhere, £300,000 paid by Wessex Water following their pollution of the River Gascoigne will be used by the Yeovil Rivers Community Trust to improve habitats in the area, including vital work to support endangered water vole populations. It will create reedbeds, wetlands and ponds at Yeovil Country Park and along Preston Brook.   

These payments follow a major increase in enforcement activity, including a record 10,000 inspections of water company sites and a significant rise in criminal investigations. More staff, better data, and increased powers mean the regulator can act faster when breaches occur and enable more targeted regulatory action. 

Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said: 

As the environmental regulator of the water industry, we are transforming how we enforce the rules – with better data, stronger powers and our largest ever enforcement workforce. 

This record level of Enforcement Undertakings payments means more money is being reinvested directly into restoring the environment. 

While we continue to prosecute and sanction the most serious offences, Enforcement Undertakings allow us to hold companies to account more quickly while ensuring money is channelled directly to where damage has occurred, delivering real benefits for people and wildlife.

Enforcement Undertakings are one of a range of tools available to the Environment Agency. Alongside these agreements, the Environment Agency continues to pursue robust enforcement against offenders, including prosecutions for the most serious offences.  New figures show that £8.5 million has been secured through Environment Agency Enforcement Undertakings (EUs) over the last financial year (2025/26) – the highest annual total on record. 

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of The Rivers Trust, said: 

We would prefer that pollution events didn’t happen in the first place and continue to push for the necessary action to ensure this – including ambitious reform of the water system.  

When pollution incidents do occur, it is right that polluters contribute to the costs of caring for the rivers harmed by this. Enforcement Undertakings are one way of channelling vital funds into this crucial work, but this is only a fraction of the investment needed to build catchment resilience to pollution, floods and drought.  

The Rivers Trust exists to ensure thriving rivers and is well placed to put any, and all, funding to good use to improve our waterways in line with our charity’s mission.

The government has also introduced stronger powers through the Water (Special Measures) Act, including tougher penalties and new measures to ensure regulators can act more quickly and effectively. 

Further reforms are planned, including new civil penalties to close gaps in enforcement and ensure that all breaches – including lower-level offences – are dealt with swiftly and proportionately. 

Today’s announcement forms part of ongoing action to transform the water sector, improve transparency and drive better performance from water companies. 

Notes to editors 

• Enforcement Undertakings are voluntary agreements between offenders and the Environment Agency, requiring companies to fund environmental improvements instead of paying fines to the Treasury.  
• £8 million in Enforcement Undertakings was secured in the 2025/26 financial year, the highest annual total on record.  
• The Environment Agency carried out a record 10,000 inspections of water company assets this year.  
• The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 introduces stronger enforcement powers, including cost recovery and new civil penalties. 

Year Apr 2025 – March 2026 

Total: £8,505,424.00 

EU REF	Company Name	Date of Acceptance	Value
EU1089	Severn Trent Water Limited	29/05/2025	£777,424.00
EU1147	Anglian Water Services Ltd	02/07/2025	£200,000.00
EU1086	Yorkshire Water Services Limited	24/07/2025	£50,000.00
EU1095	Yorkshire Water Services Limited	25/07/2025	£300,000.00
EU1149	Wessex Water Services Ltd	08/08/2025	£300,000.00
EU1059	Yorkshire Water Services Limited	29/09/2025	£300,000.00
EU1091	Severn Trent Water Limited	29/09/2025	£600,000.00
EU1167	Severn Trent Water Limited	29/09/2025	£500,000.00
EU1131	Anglian Water Services Ltd	30/09/2025	£180,000.00
EU1148	Anglian Water Services Ltd	04/11/2025	£100,000.00
EU1172	Severn Trent Water Limited	11/11/2025	£550,000.00
EU1154	Yorkshire Water Services Limited	02/12/2025	£500,000.00
EU1151	Yorkshire Water Services Limited	16/12/2025	£350,000.00
EU843	Thames Water Utilities Ltd	18/12/2025	£373,000.00
EU1152	Yorkshire Water Services Limited	19/01/2026	£250,000.00
EU868	Severn Trent Water Limited	09/02/2026	£700,000.00
EU1099	Severn Trent Water Limited	09/02/2026	£1,500,000.00
EU1159	Yorkshire Water Services Limited	10/02/2026	£500,000.00
EU1227	Northumbrian Water Ltd	04/03/2026	£200,000.00
EU1230	Anglian Water Services Ltd	25/03/2026	£275,000.00

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 12 April 2026.

Environment Secretary approves additional £1m of government funding to explore the reintroduction of golden eagles, restoring hopes they will return to England.

One of Britain’s most iconic birds, the golden eagle, is poised to make a return to England after more than 150 years after the Government paved the way for a recovery programme that could include reintroduction.  

Once widespread across England and mentioned more than 40 times by Shakespeare, golden eagles were virtually wiped out by persecution during the Victorian era. Only a handful of pairs have been seen in England since and the last eagle died in the Lake District in 2016. 

But a study published by Forestry England today confirms that England has the capacity to sustain golden eagle populations once more, with eight potential ‘recovery zones’, mostly in the north of England, identified as being the most suitable areas.

The Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds has welcomed the study’s findings and approved £1m of additional funding to explore a reintroduction programme with the potential for juveniles, six to eight weeks old, to be released as early as next year. 

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: 

“This government is committed to protecting and restoring our most threatened native wildlife – and that includes bringing back iconic species like the golden eagle.

“Backed by £1m of government funding – we will work alongside partners and communities to make the golden eagle a feature of English landscapes once again.”  

In Southern Scotland, golden eagle populations have recovered to record numbers thanks to the restoration efforts of the groundbreaking South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project. Satellite tracking indicates that some of these translocated birds have already begun to fly across the border and explore northern England. The funding announced today will help accelerate this re-establishment and, where appropriate, further reinforce it with targeted reintroductions. Replicating their successful collaborative approach in the south of Scotland, charity Restoring Upland Nature (RUN) will lead the pioneering project in partnership with a group of core partners, including Forestry England.  

Aside from being Britain’s second largest bird of prey with an impressive 2-metre wingspan, the golden eagle is a keystone species that can play a vital role in nature recovery more widely. As an apex predator at the top of the food chain, golden eagles help to keep the whole ecosystem in balance.  

Mike Seddon, Forestry England Chief Executive, said:

“It is our ambition that the nation’s forests will become the most valuable places for wildlife to thrive and expand in England. And we know from our successful reintroduction projects that returning lost species is vital for nature recovery across landscapes.

“The detailed findings of our feasibility study will guide us with our partners, Restoring Upland Nature, to take the next steps to explore the recovery of golden eagles in northern England. This Defra funding means we can build on the good work we have begun, taking the time to build support and engage with local communities, landowners and land managers and conservation organisations.”

Dr Cat Barlow, Restoring Upland Nature Chief Executive, said:

“This presents a truly exciting, and potentially game-changing moment for the return of golden eagles to Northern England. Our success to date is testament to the strength of collaborative working between conservationists, raptor study groups, gamekeepers and land managers, and to the incredible support of thousands of people across communities in southern Scotland.

“With the backing of Defra and Forestry England, we now have the opportunity to replicate and build on this approach in Northern England. Our priority will be to listen, to work in partnership, and to ensure that golden eagle recovery supports both nature and the people who manage these landscapes, so that everyone can enjoy the thrill of seeing golden eagles flying high once again across the uplands of the UK.”

Forestry England’s research suggests that Scottish birds could be seen across northern England within 10 years, but it will take longer for breeding golden eagles to become established in England.  

With support from Forestry England, Restoring Upland Nature will now develop a programme of engagement with farming, game management, recreation, nature conservation, tourism and education interests in the region.   

The move to explore reintroducing golden eagles is the latest milestone as the government’s works to achieve the statutory targets set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030 and to reduce species extinction risk by 2042 against 2022 levels.  

It follows the government’s landmark decision last year to allow the legal reintroduction of another keystone species, beavers, into the wild in England for the first time in hundreds of years, and a record £60m of funding announced last week to protect threatened native species.

Additional information:

• The programme will be delivered in partnership with the pioneering charity project that helped to restore the golden eagle population in the south of Scotland.
• This follows Defra revealing a new campaign, “Wild Again: Restoring England’s Wildlife”, which will encompass the government’s existing and future work to protect and recover native species through projects including the flagship Species Recovery Programme.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 April 2026.

Two appointments have been made to the board of the UK Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish).

Pam Vick and Paul McCourt have been appointed to the Seafish board for a first term of three years from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029.

Paul McCourt has also been appointed as Audit and Risk Assurance Committee Chair.

Seafish is a non-departmental public body which strives to create a sustainable, profitable future for the UK seafood industry. It offers regulatory guidance and services to all parts of the seafood industry, including catching and aquaculture, processors, importers, exporters and distributors of seafood, as well as restaurants and retailers.

Seafish appointments are made jointly by Defra, Welsh Government, Scottish Government, and DAERA and Northern Ireland Office. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. 

Seafish Board comprises independents and specialists and it is two independent positions that will be replaced. Industry specialists on the board will be replaced when positions are available.

Biographies

Pam Vick

Pam Vick has been appointed as an Independent Member to the Seafish Board. She brings 20 years’ experience of strategic commercial business development, marketing and communications, and has extensive experience serving on boards across many sectors. Pam is currently Ambassador for Women on Boards UK and a Trustee for the British Ecological Society.

Paul McCourt

Former Chief Financial Officer at InPost UK, Paul McCourt has over 25 years’ experience of financial leadership, having held executive roles at Menzies and Ingenico.