Tag: Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 7 June 2024.

A catch and release fishery will open in England this summer.

Legislation has come into force today (Friday 7 June) establishing permitting regimes for vessels to fish recreationally for Atlantic bluefin tuna in UK waters.

The legislation allows for vessels with a permit to fish using rod and line, on a catch and release basis, following the resurgence of the species.

16 tonnes of bluefin tuna quota have been allocated this year allowing catch and release recreational bluefin tuna fisheries to be opened in UK waters.

A fishery will open in English waters in August. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) will open the application process, for permits within this fishery, from the 10-30 June 2024.

Today’s legislation follows a three-year scientific research programme delivered by Cefas to understand the management of bluefin tuna populations, and a formal consultation launched last year to gather views on the permitting regimes.

Details of how to apply for a catch and release bluefin tuna permit in England can be found through the MMO.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 7 June 2024.

Water company inspections will more than quadruple as the government cracks down on poor performing companies.

• Fourfold increase in water company inspections to hold companies to account.
• Includes up to 500 additional staff for inspections, enforcement and stronger regulation over the next three years, with recruitment already underway.
• Part of a tougher regime fully funded by government and water company permits.

Water company inspections will more than quadruple as the government cracks down on poor performing companies, under plans announced today (20 February). In recent months, robust steps have been made under the Plan for Water with all 15,000 storm overflows now monitored and the cap on civil penalties for pollution removed. Last week, Defra went further in announcing that water bosses are set to be banned from receiving bonuses if a company has committed serious criminal breaches.

The Environment Agency (EA) is already ramping up inspections on water company assets, with over 930 completed this financial year. Today’s announcement goes further as water company inspections carried out by the EA will rise to 4000 a year by the end of March 2025, and then to 10,000 by April 2026. This will include an increase in unannounced inspections – strengthening oversight of water companies and reducing the reliance on water company self-monitoring, which was established in 2009.

Increased inspections and enforcement will be backed by around £55 million each year. This will be fully funded through increased grant-in-aid from Defra to the Environment Agency and additional funding from water quality permit charges levied on water companies, subject to a public consultation closing in March 2024.

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said:

We are clear that we need to get much tougher with unannounced inspections to bring an end to the routine lawbreaking we have seen from water companies, which is what this announcement will deliver.

We are going further to quadruple the Environment Agency’s regulatory capacity – allowing them to carry out 4,000 water company inspections by the end of the next financial year.

Environment Agency Chair Alan Lovell said:

Last year we set out measures to transform the way we regulate the water industry to uncover non-compliance and drive better performance. Today’s announcement builds on that. Campaign groups and the public want to see the Environment Agency better resourced to do what it does best, regulate for a better environment.

Proposals to get extra boots on the ground to increase inspection visits will help further strengthen our regulation of the industry.”

With 100% of storm overflows now monitored, data-driven analytics will also help the Environment Agency map discharges against rainfall more effectively so they can quickly direct new specialist officers to any sites at risk, identify any non-compliance and take action.

The EA is already conducting the largest ever criminal investigation into potential widespread non-compliance by water and sewerage companies at thousands of sewage treatment works. Since 2015, the EA has concluded 59 prosecutions against water and sewerage companies securing fines of over £150 million.

Today’s announcement builds on the recent improvements the government has delivered to the water environment, including:

• 100% of storm overflows in England are now monitored – providing a complete picture of when and where sewage spills happen.
• Removing the cap on civil penalties for water companies and broadening their scope so swifter action can be taken against those who pollute our waterways.
• Increased protections for coastal and estuarine waters by expanding the Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan, prioritising bathing waters, sites of special scientific interest and shellfish waters.
• Requiring the largest infrastructure programme in water company history – £60 billion over 25 years – to revamp aging assets and reduce the number of sewage spills by hundreds of thousands every year.
• Providing £10 million in support for farmers to store more water on their land through the Water Management Grants to support food production and improve water security.
• Speeding up the process of building key water supply infrastructure, including more reservoirs and water transfer schemes.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 30 May 2024.

The UK has self-declared freedom from highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 30 May 2024.

Owners of registered XL Bully dogs that were aged 12 months or older on 31 January 2024 must have their dogs neutered by 30 June 2024.

XL Bully dog owners are today (30 May) being reminded to have their dog neutered as there is one month to go before the mandatory deadline for older dogs comes into force.

Owners of registered XL Bully dogs that were aged 12 months or older on 31 January 2024 must have their dogs neutered by 30 June 2024 in order for the Certificate of Exemption to remain valid.

If owners do not submit the Confirmation of Neutering form to Defra by 26 July, the dog will no longer be exempt.

Strict controls have been implemented for existing XL Bullies – they must be registered, neutered and kept muzzled and on a lead in public. These measures will enhance public safety while making sure that the existing population of XL Bullies reduces over time.

Anyone found in possession of these dangerous dogs and not meeting the strict rules could have their dog seized and faces prosecution and a criminal record.

For XL Bully dogs already neutered, a vet must complete and submit a Confirmation of Neutering VCN01 form with the owner.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

“The legal deadline for XL Bullies to be neutered is now only one month away. Do not risk leaving it to the last minute, owners should book in to get their dog neutered as soon as possible.

“If evidence is not provided that the dog has been neutered by the relevant deadline, owners will be breaching the legal requirements to keep an XL Bully dog and it could be seized by the police.”

Owners can access the most up to date information on what action they need to take to neuter their XL Bully on this dedicated page: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/confirm-an-xl-bully-dog-has-been-neutered

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 24 May 2024.

Robert Wilson will take on the role for a three-year term.

Robert Wilson has today (Friday 24 May) been confirmed as the new Chair of the Consumer Council for Water.

Robert will succeed the departing Chair, Robert Light, for a three-year term commencing on 6 June 2024.

The appointment has been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office.

Biography

• Robert Wilson is an experienced businessman, Chairman and Non-Executive Director across the private, public and charity sectors.
• Robert has been involved in supporting consumers in the transport sector with Transport Focus, the independent watchdog representing the interests of rail, tram, bus and coach passengers, as well as in the water industry as a Board member at the Consumer Council for Water for the past five years.
• He is a former Member of Parliament and Minister.

Notes to editors:

• All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.
• The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) is the independent, statutory body that represents all water and sewerage consumers across England and Wales. It provides advice and information on water matters and investigates complaints. It is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 13 May 2024.

Experts can now apply to advise Defra on new ways to finance innovation and achieve a return on investment, including the possibility of a dedicated fund.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has today (Monday 13 May) announced the launch of a new expert advisory group to explore possible routes to generate commercial returns for the taxpayer from the department’s R&D and innovation spending, including through a potential new fund.

Defra is inviting leading experts in academia, business and the financial sector to apply to join the group, which will explore how to best deliver funding to support innovative projects while increasing value for money for the taxpayer. Those appointed will provide constructive and open challenge on a range of potential financing mechanisms, including a new dedicated fund supporting groundbreaking initiatives in the agri-tech and environmental sectors. Other arrangements could include joint ventures, revenue sharing arrangements, and the licensing of intellectual property to maximise the benefits of Defra’s agricultural and environmental R&D and innovation spending, while boosting productivity and economic growth.

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said:

Science and technology are fundamental to strengthening our food security, enhancing nature and protecting our environment.

From new technologies driving more productive and sustainable farming to maps and models for managing invasive species, research and development has the potential to transform the way we manage our land and feed our nation.

We are now recruiting for a specialist advisory group to explore options for a more commercial approach to Defra’s R&D and innovation funding, from revenue sharing to setting up a dedicated new fund for innovation whilst offering the taxpayer a return on their investment.

I encourage anyone with expertise in the fields of finance, venture capital, intellectual property and innovation to apply.

Defra’s R&D budget supports the development of new technologies and innovation, often via grants. However, organisations can face challenges accessing finance for scaling up and commercialising their products or services, causing them to miss commercial opportunities or lose out to international competition. The new Advisory Group will explore how Defra can support innovators to overcome barriers such as these, whilst examining how taxpayers could benefit from a share in their commercial success, where this has resulted from public funding.

A Chair and seven members will be appointed ahead of an inaugural meeting later this year and an expected committee duration of three months. Apply for the Chair’s role here and/or to join the board here. The deadline for applications is midday on Monday 3 June.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 13 May 2024.

Use of cameras, gear sensors and GPS units will help improve the sustainability of UK fish stocks.

The sustainability of UK fish stocks will be better safeguarded through the use of technology to monitor and manage fishing activity in English waters, the government has announced today (13 May).

The technology – known as Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) – involves using camera, gear sensors and GPS units to make sure that catches are accurately recorded and fish are not unlawfully thrown back into the sea. The data captured will support the fishing industry to manage stocks sustainably and give retailers and consumers greater confidence about the sustainability of our fish.

Volunteers within five priority fisheries will begin to use REM systems from this summer, with their work helping to refine the UK’s monitoring objectives and ensure the technology works for fishers.

Once monitoring objectives have been finalised and the REM systems are demonstrated to be working well, REM systems will become mandatory for all vessels in those fisheries – including non-UK vessels.

The information delivered through REM will support the long-term profitability of the sector and help to build the UK’s food resilience and security.

Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer said:

Leaving the EU has given us the opportunity to take a new approach to fisheries management that is in the best interests of the UK fishing industry.

By harnessing this technology, we can sustainably manage our fish stocks, to benefit the industry, future generations, and our marine environment.

A different approach to managing discards will also be adopted in England, with changes to be made to better account for catches. From 2025, landings and discards will both be counted against quota allocations, and the amount of quota used to cover discards will vary and will depend on the type of vessel and gear types used.

In addition to this, discard reduction schemes will be established to identify ways to reduce unwanted catch in the first instance. Working collaboratively with regulators and the industry, the schemes will identify and resolve barriers to improved gears being used.

Fishers will start to see both approaches implemented at the start of next year.

Further information:

• Link to the remote electronic monitoring consultation response.
• Link to the discards reform consultation response.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 13 May 2024.

Dozens of new bathing water sites in England have been designated ahead of the 2024 bathing season in the government’s largest ever rollout.

Dozens of new wild swimming spots in England are being designated as bathing waters ahead of the summer and will immediately benefit from regular water quality monitoring, Water Minister Robbie Moore has today announced (May 13 2024).

Following a public consultation, 27 new bathing water sites will be designated ahead of the 2024 bathing water season, which runs between 15 May and 30 September. The new sites will take the total number of bathing waters to 451 across England – the highest number to date.

The new bathing waters – which include a dozen river sites – can be found right across the country from Church Cliff Beach in Dorset to Derwent Water in Cumbria, to the River Dart in Devon and the River Nidd in North Yorkshire.

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.

The government will also launch a consultation later this year on proposals to reform the Bathing Water Regulations for England. The proposed changes will drive work to improve bathing water quality, enhance monitoring and enable more flexibility around the dates of the bathing water monitoring season. For example, proposals will include increasing monitoring outside of the bathing water season and preventing automatic de-designation of existing bathing water sites.

Defra will also seek public and stakeholder views on extending the definition of ‘bathers’ to include a wider range of water users in addition to swimmers – such as rowers, kayakers and paddle boarders. More information on this consultation will be published in due course.

The next application round will commence in Spring 2025.

Water Minister Robbie Moore said:

The value our bathing waters bring to local communities is incredibly valuable – providing social, physical and positive health and wellbeing benefits to people around the country – and I am pleased to have approved a further 27 new bathing water sites for this year.

These popular swimming spots will now undergo regular monitoring to ensure bathers have up-to-date information on the quality of the water and enable action to be taken if minimum standards aren’t being met.

I am fully committed to seeing the quality of our coastal waters, rivers and lakes rise further for the benefit of the environment and everyone who uses them.

Environment Agency Chair Alan Lovell said:

The importance of England’s bathing waters for residents and visitors alike cannot be understated, which is why the Environment Agency provides rigorous testing to ensure that bathers can make informed decisions before swimming in one of our 451 sites.

Overall bathing water quality has improved massively over the last decade due to targeted and robust regulation from the Environment Agency, and the good work carried out by partners and local groups. Last year, 96% of sites met minimum standards, up from just 76% in 2010 – and despite stricter standards being introduced in 2015.

We know that improvements can take time and investment from the water industry, farmers and local communities, but where the investment is made, standards can improve.

Last year, 96% of bathing waters in England met the minimum standards, with 90% classified as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, up from 76% in 2010, despite the classification standards becoming stricter in 2015. The government also updated its guidance last year to make the application process clearer and easier to follow.

Today’s announcement follows recent measures delivered to improve the water environment, including:

• A new £11m Water Restoration Fund to reinvest water company fines and penalties back into the water environment.
• Requiring companies to monitor 100% of storm overflows in England – providing a complete picture of when and where sewage spills happen.
• Removing the cap on civil penalties for water companies and broadening their scope so swifter action can be taken against those who pollute our waterways.
• Requiring the largest infrastructure programme in water company history – £60 billion over 25 years – to revamp ageing assets and reduce the number of sewage spills by hundreds of thousands every year.
• Increasing protections for coastal and estuarine waters by expanding the Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan, prioritising bathing waters, sites of special scientific interest and shellfish waters.
• A targeted plan to better preserve and protect the River Wye, including £35m in funding.
• £11.5m in government support for 180 local projects to boost tree planting, habitat restoration and flood management through the Water Environment Improvement Fund.
• Speeding up the process of building key water supply infrastructure, including more reservoirs and water transfer schemes.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 11 May 2024.

£4 million to expand world-leading laboratories to improve UK biosecurity and tackle emerging threats to tree health.

The battle against tree-disease spreading beetles such as the Emerald ash borer and the larger eight-toothed spruce bark beetle has taken a significant step forward today thanks to new government funding.

The funding will pay for a new £4 million research and containment facility at the UK’s Forest Research Alice Holt Research Station in Surrey and will better equip the country in managing the risks posed by these harmful pests and pathogens, in plans unveiled today (Friday 10 May) by Defra and the Forestry Commission as part of National Plant Health Week.

The new facility will expand the capacity of the existing Holt containment laboratory by almost double. This will boost capability to study pests and pathogens in a contained and controlled environment – enhancing our national response and facilitating safe international trade.

Statistics released by Forest Research today show there were 2350 tree pests and diseases reported via the TreeAlert service service from April 2023-March 2024.

By assessing the pests and pathogens in a contained laboratory, scientists from Forest Research – Great Britain’s leading organisation for forestry research – will be able to study them in a safe and controlled manner using cutting-edge technology and equipment to safeguard our treescapes.

Biosecurity Minister Lord Douglas-Miller said:

The UK is a world leader in tree health and biosecurity and today we are going further in boosting our armoury to combat tree pests and diseases and manage emerging threats.

We are committed to protecting the country’s tree health and maintaining biosecurity to ensure our trees and woodlands are resilient to fight climate change. Building on the existing vital work of Alice Holt will be a key part to achieving this.

Defra Chief Plant Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence said:

Pests and diseases are a threat to our nation’s trees and plants. They cause significant damage, economic losses and in many cases tree death. Tackling them is a key part of commitments set out in our world-leading Plant Biosecurity Strategy to protect our nation’s plants and trees.

Funding this new facility at Alice Holt will boost our capacity in the fight against new and emerging threats and help us maintain some of the strongest biosecurity measures in the world.

Forestry Commission Chair Sir William Worsley said:

Trees and woodlands support our wellbeing, and are home to some of our most treasured species. The play an important role in tackling climate change.

It is vital that we expand our research to counter new tree health outbreaks which are a threat to our nation’s trees. This new facility at Forest Research’s renowned Alice Holt Research Station will boost and expand our response to ensure trees are resilient for the future.

Forest Research Chief Executive Professor James Pendlebury said:

The Alice Holt Research Station has played a key role in researching pests and pathogens to protect our forests, strengthening UK-wide efforts to combat pest and disease outbreaks.

It is important that we increase our capacity to combat these threats so we can continue our world-leading research. This investment will help Forest Research fight to safeguard our trees and woodlands for future generations.

Due to a changing climate, we are seeing a rise in the number of pests and recent years have seen an increase in the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle Ips typographus and ongoing responses to Phytophthora ramorum and oak processionary moth. The laboratory will also help prepare for known threats which are not currently present, such as Emerald ash borer – an exotic emerald coloured beetle from Asia which has spread to North America and caused significant damage to ash trees – and Xylella, a ferocious bacterial disease which has devastated olive trees in France and Italy.

Today’s announcement supports delivery of the Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain, which committed to work with the industry and general public to protect the country’s plants from risks posed by pests and pathogens. The new facility will boost capacity for research on regulated pests and pathogens and ensure we can better respond to future threats.

The government has ambitious targets to increase tree canopy and woodland cover in England to at least 16.5% by 2050 and continues to take action to meet this with more than 15 million trees having been planted this Parliament, with future proofing our forests from disease a key part of our plans to increase tree cover.

Public vigilance is a key part of the fight against tree pests and diseases. You can look out for any unusual symptoms – like leaf discolouration or ‘bleeding’ lesions – on trees and report any sightings via TreeAlert, the GB’s online tree pest and disease reporting tool.

In a further move to protect the UK from harmful pests and diseases, the government has introduced a new set of global, risk-based border controls which will improve UK biosecurity, part of the Border Target Operating Model.

Find out more about Forest Research’s Holt Laboratory here.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• National Plant Health Week, a collaborative week of action with over 32 organisations, is taking place from 6-12 May 2024.
• This announcement supports delivery of the vision of the Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain.
• Improving UK biosecurity and addressing threats to tree health is essential to meeting the government’s manifesto pledge on tree planting and the long-term vision set out in the England Trees Action Plan 2021-2024.
• The announcement follows the launch of the Holt Laboratory, funded by Defra, in 2022, meaning Defra will have invested almost £10m on state-of-the-art tree health facilities in the last five years.
• Forest Research is Great Britain’s principal organisation for forestry and tree-related research and is internationally renowned for the provision of evidence and scientific services in support of sustainable forestry.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 May 2024.

Mandatory microchipping of cats will help reunite thousands of lost or stray pets every year.

Cat owners are today being urged to have their pets microchipped ahead of new legislation coming into force on 10 June to keep treasured pets safe.

The legal deadline was previously confirmed in legislation laid in March 2023, following a Government call for evidence and consultation on the issue in December 2020, in which 99% of respondents expressed support for the measure.

With the number of pet cats in England now more than 9 million, the introduction of mandatory microchipping will make it easier for lost or stray pet cats to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely. Microchipping is proven to be the most effective method for identifying lost pets, with microchipped dogs more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owner.

Microchips are safe and easy to implant with an average cost of around £25 for microchipping and registration. Often, charities and reputable cat rescue organisations may be able to microchip your cat for a reduced rate.

The process of microchipping involves the insertion of a chip, generally around the size of a grain of rice, under the skin of a pet. The microchip has a unique serial number that the keeper needs to register on a database. When an animal is found, the microchip can be read with a scanner and the registered keeper identified on a database so the pet can quickly be reunited with them.

The introduction of mandatory microchipping follows a public consultation where there was overwhelming support for the measure. Owned cats must be microchipped before reaching 20 weeks of age, with their contact details stored and kept up to date in a pet microchipping database.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

Microchipping is by far the most effective and quickest way of identifying lost pets. As we’ve seen with dog microchipping, those who are microchipped are more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owner.

I urge all owners to ensure their cat is microchipped before the legal deadline so they can increase the likelihood that they will be reunited with their beloved pet in the event of it going missing.

British Veterinary Association President Anna Judson said:

Microchipping is a safe, simple technology that can have a big impact; enabling vets to reunite hundreds of lost, stray and stolen cats with their families each year, and allowing injured cats to be quickly identified and treated. With the deadline for compulsory microchipping fast approaching we urge owners with unchipped cats to make an appointment with their practice today. If you have any concerns or are unsure if your cat needs to be chipped, please speak to your vet.

Battersea’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Michael Webb, said:

Last year more than two thirds of the cats brought to our centres were sadly not microchipped, making it incredibly difficult for us to trace an owner or help the cat return home.

Now that owners will be required to get their pet cats microchipped and keep their details up to date, rescues like Battersea can reunite more missing cats, and owners can avoid the devastation of losing their pet. We would urge anyone who hasn’t yet got their cat microchipped to do so as soon as possible ahead of the change in law next month. It’s a simple and painless procedure and an up-to-date microchip is the easiest way for missing pets to be reunited with their worried owners.

Alice Potter, Cat Welfare Expert at the RSPCA said:

We all want the best for our cats and microchipping them is a responsible and kind part of pet ownership as it means should your pet become lost, stolen, or injured, they can more easily be reunited with you.

In one month, cat microchipping becomes mandatory for all cat owners, so – as we strive to create a better world for every kind – we’d urge owners who haven’t got their cat microchipped yet to contact their vet to book an appointment.

Being on the frontline of animal rescue, we have seen cats coming into our care who are sadly not microchipped and may never be reunited with their owners. We’ve also rescued cats who have been microchipped, but the details haven’t been kept up-to-date which is arguably even more frustrating as it means cats spend a long time in our care whilst we fruitlessly try to contact the owner with out of date information. But we’ve also seen countless stories of cats who have been missing days, weeks, months, years and even decades, being reunited with their owners thanks to a tiny microchip – showing what this change of legislation will achieve for animal welfare.

Madison Rogers, Head of Advocacy, Campaigns and Government Relations for Cats Protection said:

With just one month to go, it’s vitally important that all pet cats are microchipped with the details kept up to date. It isn’t a question of just doing it because it’s the law. Microchipping a pet cat vastly improves the chances of a happy reunion should they go missing as it’s a safe and permanent means of identification that remains with a cat for their lifetime.

No matter how far from home they are found, or how long they have been missing, if a cat has a microchip there is a good chance they can be swiftly returned home.

This legislation forms part of wider work to reform microchipping and clamp down on pet theft by taking forward key recommendations from the Pet Theft Task Force. We recently announced reforms to the pet microchipping system including making microchip records easier to access, improving the accuracy of microchip information, and standardising database operator processes. We have also confirmed Government support for the Pet Abduction Bill.

This forms part of a wider Government effort to build on our existing world-leading animal welfare standards. Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare in 2021, we have brought in new laws to recognise animal sentience and introduced tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences.

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Microchipping is not compulsory for free living cats that live with little or no human interaction or dependency, such as farm, feral or community cats.
• Owners failing to comply by June 10, 2024, could face a fine of up to £500.
• The new microchipping rules follow a Government call for evidence and consultation on the issue in which 99% of respondents expressed support for the measure. The introduction of compulsory cat microchipping was a manifesto commitment and an Action Plan for Animal Welfare pledge.