Tag: Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 9 October 2025.

Two new appointees will support efforts to prepare and adapt the UK for climate change.

Defra and the Devolved Governments have appointed Dr Michael Keil and Mr Ian Dickie to the Adaptation Committee of the Climate Change Committee.

The Adaptation Committee is comprised of experts in the fields of climate change impacts, science, environmental economics, conservation, public health and business. It provides independent, expert advice on preparing for and adapting to climate change to UK and devolved governments and parliaments. 

Dr Michael Keil and Mr Ian Dickie’s appointments will run from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028. The appointments have been made in line with the guidance set out in the Ministerial Governance Code for Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

Dr Michael Keil said:

It’s an enormous privilege to be given this opportunity to play a key role in shaping the UK’s response to climate change. You don’t have to look far to see the impact it’s already having on our lives, not least in the water sector where we are facing a race against time to secure enough water to meet our future needs.

The UK has a wealth of unrivalled expertise which can find effective solutions but we need to accelerate our efforts. This means not only developing new infrastructure but, crucially, inspiring much-needed changes in people’s behaviour and habits where there remains so much untapped potential. It’s also critical we work with, rather than against, the natural environment to bolster our resilience.

Ultimately, every individual, across current and future generations, has a stake in the decisions we take now to ensure we have a well-adapted UK that not only keeps people safe but allows communities and nature to flourish.

Mr Ian Dickie said:

It is a pleasure and honour to be joining the Adaptation Committee to help apply environmental economics to the increasing urgent and current challenge of adapting to climate change.

I will contribute to the Committee’s work to consider the full range of adaptation options available to society. It is important to promote both the costs and benefits of acting on adaptation and identify the potential synergies and trade-offs with other societal challenges. These include achieving net zero, particularly in agricultural and other sectors heavily dependent on natural capital, as well as nature recovery and public health.

I aim to ensure that adaptation options are relevant across the diversity of the UK, from remote rural to inner city communities, and from our seas to our street trees. I will endeavour to build on the advice of my colleague at EFTEC, Ece Ozdemiroglu, who was a member of the committee for six years.

Baroness Brown, Chair of the Adaptation Committee, said:

I am delighted to welcome two new members to the committee and congratulate them on their appointment. As the need to adapt to the growing impacts of climate change becomes ever more urgent, they will help build our analysis for the fourth UK Climate Change Risk Assessment. Michael’s knowledge of the water industry and of consumer issues and Ian’s expertise in the economics of climate adaptation will be immensely valuable contributions to our upcoming advice.

Biographical details

Dr Michael Keil

Michael is Chief Executive of the Consumer Council for Water, the statutory consumer body for the water sector. He brings over two decades of experience across Ofwat, Severn Trent Water, and the Met Office, with a strong focus on climate change adaptation, resilience, and consumer advocacy.

Michael holds a PhD in Meteorology from the University of Reading and began his career at the Met Office, where he led the Middle Atmosphere Group and contributed to the development of climate and weather models. At Ofwat, he established the regulator’s climate change policy framework, introduced carbon accounting, and assessed over £2 billion in climate-related investment proposals.

At Severn Trent Water, Michael led the development of the company’s Climate Change Adaptation Report and spearheaded the £350 million Birmingham Resilience Scheme — one of the largest climate adaptation investments in the UK water sector. His work involved strategic planning, business case development, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

At the Consumer Council for Water, Michael has championed consumer interests in climate resilience, led major affordability reviews, and launched public engagement initiatives such as the ‘Waterfall’ podcast. He has served on multiple boards and advisory panels, including the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management’s climate change panel and the MOSL Strategic Panel, and has contributed evidence to national climate risk assessments and adaptation planning under the Climate Change Act.

Mr Ian Dickie

Ian is a Director at EFTEC (Economics for the Environment Consultancy), with over 25 years of experience as an applied environmental economist. He specialises in biodiversity, natural capital accounting, and the economic appraisal of environmental policy and infrastructure.

Ian has led over £3 million of research for UK Government departments and developed more than 50 natural capital accounts for sectors including transport, water, forestry, and finance. His work has supported policy development for Defra, the Natural Capital Committee, and the Cabinet Office, and includes contributions to the 25-Year Environment Plan and the UK’s first Natural Capital Risk Assessment.

He is a member of Defra’s Biodiversity Expert Committee and has served on advisory panels for the Royal Society of Arts, the Capitals Coalition, and the Peatland Code. Ian was also a technical editor for the British Standards Institute’s Flex 701 nature markets principles standard, published in 2025.

Ian’s expertise spans ecosystem market design, biodiversity finance, and climate adaptation economics. His work includes modelling climate risk in floodplain management, valuing storm protection in the Caribbean, and integrating climate scenarios into asset valuation. He is a published author in environmental economics and has contributed to guidance used by the United Nations Development Programme, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Cabinet Office, and all UK governments.

Further information

• The Adaptation Committee of the Climate Change Committee is an advisory Non-Departmental Public Body created under the Climate Change Act (2008). The Adaptation Committee is jointly sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Northern Ireland Executive, the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government.
• The Board for the Adaptation Committee comprises a chairperson and six members.
• Further information on the Climate Change Committee is available at: www.theccc.org.uk.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 6 October 2025.

New rules mean all commercial dog imports from Romania into Great Britain to undergo mandatory pre-import testing.

The UK Chief Veterinary Officer is today (October 6th) renewing calls on prospective dog buyers to source their dogs from responsible breeders in order to protect animal and public health. 

Steps people should take include not only sourcing dogs from reputable breeders or rescue organisations, but ensuring proper health checks and documentation are in place, and understanding the potential risks associated with importing or rehoming dogs from abroad. Vets, breeders, and rehoming organisations should remain alert to the signs of disease and follow best practice when handling, testing, or managing dogs at risk. 

There is a risk of imported dogs carrying diseases such as Brucella canis,  and even rabies, presenting a threat to the health of canine and human populations in the Great Britain.  

Since 2020, there has been a steady increase in the number of Brucella canis cases in Great Britain, the majority of which have been found in imported dogs with around 50% of all identified infections since 2020 coming from Romanian dog imports. 

Brucella canis is a serious disease affecting dogs that can lead to reproductive issues such as abortion, as well as joint pain and lameness. Many infected dogs show no obvious symptoms but remain infectious, meaning they can unknowingly spread the disease. Currently, there is no vaccine and no effective treatment to eliminate the infection or prevent its transmission. 

To protect our biosecurity, the government has introduced a safeguard measure which comes into force from tomorrow (October 7th) requiring all commercial dog imports from Romania into Great Britain to undergo mandatory pre-import testing for Brucella canis (B. canis).The measure applies to commercial imports only (which includes rescue dogs that are to be rehomed) and is in addition to existing requirements under the Approved Importer Scheme. It does not apply to non-commercial pet movements from Romania. 

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: 

Anyone considering getting a dog should make sure they are fully prepared for the responsibility. Importing dogs without the proper health checks or testing can increase the risk of introducing serious diseases like Brucella canis into Great Britain. 

The new rules on dogs imported from Romania are a necessary step to safeguard both animal and human health. I strongly urge prospective dog owners to do their research, choose reputable breeders or rescue organisations, and ensure all required health checks and tests are completed before bringing a dog into their home.

This safeguard will remain in place until the disease risk is judged to have reduced sufficiently. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will review the measure regularly to ensure it remains proportionate, evidence-based, and targeted at the areas of highest risk. 

The commercial import of dogs from other countries continues to be unaffected by this change. 

While the overall risk to the public is low, the disease is also zoonotic, meaning it can be passed from dogs to humans. Those with weakened immune systems, pregnant individuals, and children under five may be more vulnerable. Further public health information can be found here: Brucella canis: information for the public and dog owners – GOV.UK

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 3 October 2025.

Over £10 million in water company fines has been channelled into cleanup projects to repair the damage done by sewage– directly benefitting communities and the environment which have been harmed by rule breaking.  

Through the Water Restoration Fund, money from fines handed to five water companies will fund 51 projects across England, from active measures such as rewilding and restoring floodplains to funding for assessments of water quality and development of improvement plans.  

Anglian Water, South West Water, Thames Water, Yorkshire Water and United Utilities were forced to pay millions after causing pollution incidents between April 2022 and October 2023.   

From restoring riverbeds in Exmoor National Park to tackling septic tank spills into Windermere, these projects will restore precious habitats, improve flood resilience and enable local wildlife to thrive.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said:  

I share people’s anger at the damage caused by sewage pollution and want communities to once again feel they can take pride in their environment. 

This money from water company fines will be directed back into local projects to tackle pollution and support long-term plans for nature restoration. 

Under our Plan for Change we’re resetting the water industry – holding water companies to account and reinvesting in areas harmed by their rule breaking.

Projects, which span the length and breadth of the country, include a £1.2 million floodplain and river restoration project on the River Witham in Lincolnshire, as well as river restoration, nutrient capture and wetland creation in the Evenlode catchment in Oxfordshire. 

The Water Restoration Fund delivers on the government’s Plan for Change – empowering communities to invest money raised from water company wrongdoing back into the environment. 

The Government is committed to restoring our waterways to good health and will continue to direct water company fines and penalties into projects to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. With increased accountability, record investment to fix broken pipes, and a new powerful regulator responsible for the entire sector that will stand firmly on the side of customers and the environment.

Projects and funding distributions: 

Thames area (£3,318,392.84) 

• Coate Water Site of Special Scientific Interest Restoration Project (£83,306) 
• Restoring the River Ching (£175,729.13) 
• Citizen Crane, Catchment Scale Restoration of an Urban River (£133,755) 
• The Wandering Wandle (£161,217.18) 
• Emm Brook Restoration Project (£743,146.64) 
• Ilford Arrival, Restoring the Lower Roding (£113,415) 
• Improving the Evenlode Catchment (£780,780) 
• Rye to Good Phase 3 (£100,236) 
• The Keston Ponds Project (£248,853) 
• Colne Catchment (£143,737.89) 
• Rediscovering the River Colne (£198,807) 
• Ealing Regional Park River Restoration Plan (£250,000) 
• River Windrush and Sherborne Brook Catchment Improvement Project (£102,822) 
• Roundmoor and Boveney Chalk Stream Restoration Project (£82,588) 

East England (£3,036,664) 

• Upper Witham River and Floodplain Restoration Project (£1,185,957) 
• Great Ouse Blue Connections (£85,674) 
• Recovering the Deben (£248,274.32) 
• Slade Brook Natural Flood Management Project (£187,782) 
• A Collaborative Restoration Plan for the Cam (£179,602.54) 
• Welland Headwaters Nature-based Solutions (£107,053) 
• 20-year Strategy for restoration of river & floodplain habitats in the rivers Nene, Ise and Tove (£165,976.57) 
• Broadland Catchment Partnership Development Plan (£205,376.49) 
• Stanwick Lakes Hydrological Survey (£118,272) 
• Panford and Blackwater Catchment Regeneration Project (£552,696.08) 

South West (£1,849,513.04) 

• Heddon Valley (£162,694) 
• Otter Catchment- Source to Sea (£75,000) 
• Upper Barle River Restoration Project (£147,496) 
• Teign and Taw Fisheries Management (£664,286.50) 
• Arlington Lake, Fish Opening and Habitat Enhancement (£80,558.68) 
• Water Wise Farming (£81,105) 
• Restoration of the River Mere Catchment (£202,267.24) 
• Washfield Wetland (£202,609) 
• Improving the West Looe River Water Body (£95,394.34) 
• Catchment Planning – Avon, Gara & Slapton Ley, and Kingsbridge Salcombe Estuary (£138,102.28) 

Yorkshire (£1,533,722.28) 

• Dewsbury Country Park (£76,570.85) 
• Ashfoldside Metal Mines Project (£81,730) 
• Solutions for the Swale, Ure, Nidd, Ouse, Foss, Wiske, & Wharfe (£75,236) 
• Water in the Wharfe (£249,445) 
• Foss & Esk River Restoration Improvement Studies (£130,060) 
• Derwent Site of Special Scientific Interest Project (£79,054.44) 
• Swaledale and Wensleydale Environmental Farmers (£222,960) 
• Connecting Limbs (£225,817) 
• Upper and Lower Staveley Weirs (£75,039.99) 
• Pickhill Beck (£93,473) 
• Feasibility Study for Doe Lea Catchment (£75,045) 
• Hornsea Mere Restoration (£149,291) 

North West (£758,161.50) 

• Stalybridge Restoration Planning (£97,055.50) 
• River Tame Barriers Modification Feasibility Study (£247,500) 
• Lakes Biosecurity Priority Area Project (£140,320) 
• River Cocker Catchment Restoration (£150,182) 
• Windermere STEP (Septic Tank Engagement Programme) (£123,104)

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 23 September 2025.

Strengthened Water Efficiency Standards will boost housebuilding and keep more money in families’ pockets.

Simple water-saving measures could save families in new homes over £100 a year on bills, while supporting a wave of new housing across Britain – delivering on the Plan for Change.

The government’s new efficiency rules will tackle water shortage bottlenecks and unblock stalled developments in areas of water scarcity helping to deliver the pledge of building 1.5million homes by 2030.

A consultation launched today will propose small changes to Building Regulations that could see new homes fitted with water-saving features such as aerated taps and showerheads, and dual flush toilets.

The change to the design standard will make new build housing more water efficient, equivalent to 20 litres per person per day. Analysis has shown this could save £111 a year on energy and water bills in new homes.

The small measures will also help the environment by reducing the amount that needs to be taken from rivers, lakes, and delicate chalk streams for public supply.

Environment Secretary, Emma Reynolds, said:

We are getting Britain building faster, and a key element to growth is smarter water consumption.

Removing the water shortage barriers that have stalled development for too long will mean unlocking thousands of new homes while saving families money.

Not only will this make customer bills cheaper; it will protect the environment and unlock thousands of new homes as part of our Plan for Change.

The 12-week consultation looks to amend the current Building Regulations 2010 Part G2, which are insufficient to meet the parallel challenges of housing delivery and water conservation.

A reduction of 20 litres per person per day could see an additional 1,000 new homes unlocked for every 5,250 homes built. This is particularly helpful in areas like Cambridge and north Sussex where planning has previously been blocked because water demand outstripped supply.  

The measures will support the government’s commitment to reduce water usage in England by 20% per person per day by 2038. It also puts us on track to use just 110 litres per head of the population by 2050.

Future innovations, such as using harvested rainwater to flush home toilets, are also being considered in a call to evidence that is running alongside the consultation.

England has seen seven consecutive months of below-average rainfall, with five areas in drought and more expected to follow soon despite the recent rain. Climate change and increased water demand means the nation needs to become more efficient with the water it has.  

Defra has worked closely with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to develop the consultation and ensure it supports housebuilding goals.

Dr. Tom Dollard, Chair, Good Homes Alliance welcomed the consultation saying: 

Our membership is facing real challenges in delivering new homes due to a lack of water capacity in their areas.  

If we are to meet the Government housing delivery targets and unlock economic growth then we must start building more ‘water smart’ homes and neighbourhoods.  

We would like to see a refreshed Part G that is aligned to the water neutrality hierarchy, and a fittings-based approach combined with a water labelling scheme that would deliver water efficient homes at scale across the UK.  

We encourage all stakeholders from across industry to respond to this important consultation.” 

Ed Lockhart, CEO of Future Homes Hub:

Water shortages are already constraining housing growth and the water supply shortfall at national and regional levels will widen without concerted action.

To sustain delivery of new homes at the levels required for everyone to have a decent home, homes need to become progressively more water efficient, alongside largescale investment in water infrastructure and demand management in other sectors.

That is why the Future Homes Hub proposed a water efficiency roadmap for the new homes sector in the 2024 Water Ready report. We therefore welcome the Government consulting on proposed efficiency measures and look forward to working with the Government to ensure water efficiency can be implemented affordably at scale whilst delivering on customer expectations.” 

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 23 September 2025.

With strong backgrounds in public policy and social entrepreneurship, the new appointees will provide strategic and corporate leadership for the department.

Allison Ogden-Newton OBE and Dan Corry have been appointed as Non-Executive Directors to the board of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Dan and Allison bring a wealth of experience in public policy and social entrepreneurship. Allison has been the Chief Executive of environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy since 2015, while Dan is Chief Economist at the Future Governance Forum and recently completed a review of environmental regulation for Defra. Their appointments will last for one year. 

Non-executive board members are senior figures from outside government, appointed to provide challenge to government departments.

The Defra Board provides strategic, corporate leadership to the department and has particular responsibility for monitoring performance and delivery. 

Biographies

Allison Ogden-Newton

Allison Ogden-Newton OBE is an experienced charity professional and social entrepreneur, having worked as Chief Executive at World Child Cancer and Social Enterprise London. She was founder of breakthrough social value think-tank The Transition Institute.

Since becoming Chief Executive of environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy in 2015, Allison has led a transformation of the charity, including the introduction of the country’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign, the Great British Spring Clean, and raising its profile through regular media appearances and large-scale behaviour change campaigns.

Allison has a master’s degree from Warwick Business School and is a graduate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. She has acted as an equal value advisor to the then Equal Opportunities Commission and served as a member of the government’s Department of Innovation and Skills, Women’s Enterprise Taskforce.

She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a board member of the British Cleaning Council and Wildlife and Countryside Link.

Allison was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours 2019/20 for her services to the environment and social enterprise.

Dan Corry

Dan Corry is Chief Economist at the Future Governance Forum. He brings extensive experience in public policy and economics from roles across government, think tanks and the private sector.

Dan recently completed 13 years as Chief Executive of New Philanthropy Capital, a think tank and consultancy that works to improve the impact of the social sector. From 2007 to 2010, he served as Head of the Number 10 Policy Unit and Senior Adviser to the Prime Minister on the Economy. He has also held roles as Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers in the Treasury and as a special adviser to Secretaries of State at the Department for Education, as well as the then Department for Trade and Industry, Department for Transport, Local Government and Regions, and Department for Communities and Local Government.

Earlier in his career, Dan was Director in the Economics segment of FTI Consulting and ran the New Local Government Network think tank (now New Local) from 2002 to 2005. He worked as Senior Economist at the IPPR in the 1990s and began his career as a civil service economist in the Employment Department and the Treasury.

Dan chairs the Carers Trust charity, which supports a network of 130 local charities helping unpaid carers. He is also a trustee of homelessness charity St Mungo’s. His previous roles include membership of the What Works Centre for Wellbeing, the Research Committee of the ESRC, the Greater Manchester Economic Advisory Panel and the Financial Advisory Committee of the Football Association.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 8 September 2025.

Latest meeting takes place today chaired by Floods Minister Emma Hardy.

Communities up and down the country continue to benefit from increased flood protection thanks to the Government’s Floods Resilience Taskforce which convenes today (Monday 8 September).

In the last winter storm period, the country saw several named storms. This includes in November when the country was met by Storm Bert, causing severe flooding, while Storm Conall arrived a few days later, bringing further rainfall. During the whole period, around 167,000 properties were protected from flooding by Environment Agency assets.

The group’s fourth meeting will discuss and prepare for possible flooding this winter – while also reflecting on the challenges and achievements of the last 12 months.

Established in September 2024, the Taskforce was set up to ensure a long-term, strategic approach to bolstering the nation’s resilience to extreme weather, as well as speeding up the delivery of new flood and coastal defence schemes to better protect vulnerable communities.

Since being launched, the Taskforce has:

• Facilitated rapid information sharing between partners ahead of and during these incidents, and lessons learned have helped to prepare the nation ahead of this winter.
• Helped deliver an improved forecasting service for surface water flooding – known as Rapid Flood Guidance. This provides short notice updates on incoming flood risks and helps first responders in their decision-making to protect lives.
• Established Action Groups focused on three specific services – flood warnings, flood recovery and flood insurance. These groups have been created to deliver systemic improvements to the way the public engages with these services, with updates provided at future meetings as their work develops.

Floods Minister Emma Hardy said:

I know first-hand the disruption that flooding has on people’s lives and the unexpected costs it causes.

Since being established last year, our Taskforce has helped ensure communities have the protection they need from the dangers of flooding.

Under our Plan for Change, we are investing billions to build new flood defences, which will protect homes and businesses across the country.

Caroline Douglass, Executive Director for Flood and Coastal Risk Management at the Environment Agency, said:

As we head into autumn, we need to think about flood risk even though drought is still being felt in some parts of the country.

Our priority is to ensure communities are protected from the risk of flooding as our changing climate brings more extreme weather.

Working with our partners in the Floods Resilience Taskforce, we will continue to ensure the nation’s flood resilience is bolstered by delivering new flood and coastal defences in towns and cities across the country.

With a new weather and climate outlook from the Met Office indicating an increased likelihood of a wetter than average autumn is approaching, the gathering of key flood responders – including Floods Minister Emma Hardy, the emergency services, and the Environment Agency – comes at a crucial time.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Will Lang, said:

While the longer-range forecast leans towards wetter-than-average conditions for the coming months, rainfall is likely to vary significantly across regions. There is an increased likelihood of westerly weather patterns, which typically bring more rainfall to western and northern parts of the UK, while eastern and southern areas may experience drier conditions than the national average suggests.

Importantly, despite the overall signal for wetter weather, this outlook does not guarantee that current drought conditions will ease consistently across the country.

This outlook will play a vital role in supporting Taskforce members to prepare for the forthcoming winter period, and ensure communities are better protected from the impacts of flooding.

During the meeting, the Taskforce will also discuss the Environment Agency’s progress in the development of a new Flood Warning Service, outlining how user feedback has shaped the system to better serve the public. The meeting will also consider the progress made to deliver the current flood and coastal defence programme, while also hearing from the Taskforce’s Insurance Action Group on plans to improve the insurance protection available to homeowners across the country.

The wider work of the Floods Resilience Taskforce also includes:

• Delivering the Environment Agency’s new national flood warning and forecasting centre.
• Initiating a review of multi-agency flood plans, focused on assessing their quality and providing feedback on how they can be strengthened.
• Developing new toolkits for MPs and Mayors to support their understanding of flood warning systems. This includes practical guidance on flood response and how to support their constituents during flood events.
• Streamlining the Flood Recovery Framework to enable faster identification of eligibility areas and extended the time by local authorities can claim business and community recovery grants.

The Government has committed a record investment of £2.65 billion over two years towards building and repairing over 1,000 flood defences. This is alongside pledging a record £7.9 billion over 10 years to deliver the largest capital floods programme history, which will protect 840,000 homes and businesses in England.

In 2024/25, £36 million was spent to undertake urgent repairs to flood defences damaged in the previous winter’s extreme flooding, with a further £72 million this year to maintain and repair assets. 92.7% of high consequence assets are now at their required condition.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 29 August 2025.

The SPS agreement will making trading with the UK’s biggest market faster, easier and cheaper, adding up to £5.1bn a year to the UK economy.

• Local food businesses to hear how the government’s upcoming SPS agreement with the EU will benefit industry and consumers.
• Deal will save businesses time and money by cutting red tape and speeding up trade as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
• Trade with the UK’s biggest market will be faster, easier and cheaper, adding £5.1bn a year to the UK economy.

Major food businesses will discuss the government’s new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU that will cut costs, slash red tape and support their profits, with the food security minister Daniel Zeichner.

Benefits include the scrapping of most routine border checks on food and agricultural products moving between the UK and EU, allowing faster trade across the UK and EU border, with less paperwork and at lower costs for businesses.

Trading food with the UK’s biggest export and import market will be cheaper and easier, adding up to £5.1 billion a year to the UK economy in the long run and benefitting businesses of all sizes, while easing pressure on consumer food prices.

Benefits of the new SPS agreement include:

• British goods such as dairy, fish, eggs and red meat entering the EU are currently subject to 100% documentary checks and up to 30% physical checks. The SPS agreement will see these time-consuming, expensive, and paperwork-riddled processes removed entirely.
• The removal of Export Health Certificates (an official export document required to trade animals and animal products) alone will save businesses up to £200 per shipment of goods, meaning a single lorry carrying a mixed load of animal products could see £1000s in reduced costs.
• The EU currently bans imports of basic UK products such as fresh sausages and burgers, some shellfish, and seed potatoes. The SPS agreement will remove this ban and reopen the EU market for these goods, supporting businesses to expand their production and stimulating new jobs.

The minister will today tour meat processor Dunbia’s Cardington plant outside Bedford with senior Dunbia executives, before visiting Co-op’s flagship distribution centre in Biggleswade with Supply Chain Director Nick Cornwell, Logistics Director Ian Gibb, and Head of Public Affairs Andrew Weston – meeting staff and discussing the forthcoming SPS agreement.

Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner said:

Helping businesses to grow at home, trade abroad and stimulate jobs is central to our Plan for Change.

This deal will make trading with the EU both easier and cheaper, adding over £5bn to the economy and spurring growth that the whole country will benefit from.

Shirine Khoury-Haq, Chief Executive of The Co-operative Group, said:

Being able to move food and drink more smoothly between the UK and EU, whilst maintaining high standards, is good news for our industry, for our business, and therefore for our members, customers, and the communities we serve.

We wholeheartedly welcome the positive steps the government and the EU have taken towards reducing unnecessary friction in the food supply chain. We look forward to working with the UK government to ensure businesses of all sizes – including smaller businesses – benefit from the new arrangements.

Niall Browne, CEO of Dunbia, said:

We welcome the Minister and his colleagues to our plant at Dunbia Cardington to show what we do and the importance of the export business to the EU for Dunbia and the British Food Industry.

The new SPS agreement between the UK and EU is a very welcomed development and this should result in potential cost savings for our business and a smoother delivery to our EU customers which are important to balance the carcase sales.

Protecting UK biosecurity remains a key government priority, and risk-based surveillance will continue to manage the biosecurity risks of imported food products until the agreement is completed and in force.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 26 August 2025.

Environmental permitting for industry and energy to be modernised, as part of new plans following the landmark Corry Review.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 19 August 2025.

Britain’s broken planning and development system is rewired to accelerate infrastructure delivery and homebuilding while safeguarding the environment

First-time home buyers and local communities will reap the benefits as Britain’s broken planning and development system is rewired to accelerate infrastructure delivery and homebuilding while safeguarding the environment under the Plan for Change.

Environmental planning reforms will be backed by £500 million, which includes funding for the government’s flagship Nature Restoration and Marine Recovery Fund schemes and funding to build capacity in the planning system. This will help to process planning applications faster and help developers bring their projects to life, without compromising on environmental protections – ensuring we build 1.5 million homes and fast-track 150 planning decisions on major infrastructure projects by the end of this Parliament.

The Lower Thames Crossing – set to cut congestion for motorists and drive growth across the country – will become the first major UK infrastructure project to have one lead environmental body in charge. A clear, single point of contact will cut the time it takes to secure planning permissions and approvals for large-scale developments, boosting project certainty and minimising costs and delays.

Moreover, communities across Britain will benefit from new transport, energy and housing schemes sooner, thanks to a new dedicated body that will address planning issues early to keep critical projects on track.

The Defra Group Infrastructure Board will help accelerate the planning process for at least 50 major infrastructure projects, including Hinkley Point C, East West Rail and Heathrow expansion.

Early oversight will help to identify challenges such as those faced by HS2 in building the bat tunnel, meaning that for future similar situations alternative solutions to meet environmental obligations can be explored earlier in the process – ensuring proportionate decisions are made and reducing costs and delays.

Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said:

“People can’t find affordable homes to live in because Britain’s broken planning system has blocked building work, and that’s pushed up prices.

“These changes will get spades in the ground quicker so developers can build the homes families need.

“This is all part of the Government’s Plan for Change that will boost the economy and create jobs by building more homes and also provide new funding from developers to benefit nature.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said:

“We have been stuck with a status quo that has stopped us building the homes we need, and has done nothing for nature’s recovery.

“Communities deserve better, that’s why we’re pushing ahead with our pro-growth reforms to not only deliver vital homes and infrastructure, but drive real, lasting recovery for the environment.

“This is another step towards our 1.5 million homes Plan for Change target which will restore the dream of homeownership, end the housing crisis, and boost economic growth across the country.”

The measures announced today build on a £500 million funding package announced as part of the government’s 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy. This funding will give the planning system a boost to help build the homes families need whilst supporting nature recovery on land and at sea at scale. As recommended by the Corry Review, it will increase the capacity of Natural England and the Environment Agency to process planning applications faster, through the use of spatial planning and digital technologies. This will not only help to improve our natural environment but also enable delivery of vital national infrastructure such as wind farms, railways, gigafactories and data centres.

The new Lead Environmental Regulator approach will end the merry-go-round of developers dealing with multiple, overlapping authorities. Instead, one environmental regulator will deliver a coordinated response on behalf of all regulators. Natural England will take on this role for the Lower Thames Crossing, working seamlessly with the Environment Agency and Marine Management Organisation to provide joined-up advice.

This government is clear; we will no longer accept Britain’s rigid system of regulation as the status quo. Regulators and regulation must work for the people of Britain, not get in the way of progress.

By facilitating greater collaboration and stronger oversight within Defra and its arm’s-length bodies, the new Infrastructure Board will overcome bureaucratic barriers and keep projects moving at pace. It will closely monitor an evolving list of significant infrastructure projects, including renewable energy projects critical to meeting the 2030 clean power mission. These could include offshore wind and solar farms, electricity transmission lines, and other nationally significant infrastructure projects.

This package demonstrates rapid delivery of high-impact recommendations from a landmark review of environmental regulation, led by former Head of the No10 Policy Unit Dan Corry and commissioned by Steve Reed. Of the 29 recommendations published in April 2025, 9 are already being fast-tracked by Defra, with the government actively considering next steps on the remaining 20.

This represents a significant step forward in delivering on the government’s Plan for Change commitment to build 1.5 million homes this Parliament and fast-track 150 planning decisions on major infrastructure – more than double the number decided in the previous Parliament.

Notes to editors:

• The Nature Restoration Fund will enable infrastructure builders to meet their environmental obligations faster and at greater scale by pooling contributions from developers to fund larger strategic interventions for nature. This approach will mean the burden of individual site-level assessments and delivering mitigation and compensation is reduced. Further information is on gov.uk.
• The Marine Recovery Fund will deliver industry-funded, strategic measures to compensate for adverse effects of offshore wind developments on marine protected areas – supporting the Clean Power Mission.

Lead Environmental Regulator

Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Natural England, said:

Infrastructure, housing and nature are not competing interests. Sustainable development and nature recovery must go hand in hand, and urgent action is needed to restore our depleted nature and build desperately needed homes and infrastructure.

That’s why we’re proud to be the Lead Environmental Regulator delivering the Lower Thames Crossing. This model brings developers and all the regulators together to agree how to avoid environmental harm and plan opportunities for nature recovery, so streamlining the approvals process.

Matt Palmer, Executive Director, Lower Thames Crossing, said:

As one of the Britain’s most important economic infrastructure projects we are delighted to be the first to work with a Lead Environmental Regulator. Driving economic growth and enhancing nature are at the heart of the Lower Thames Crossing. As we gear up to start construction, this new approach will help us to move at pace, while ensuring we protect the natural environment and meet our environmental commitments.”

On Lower Thames Crossing:

• The Lower Thames Crossing will be a new road crossing connecting Kent, Thurrock and Essex. Approximately 14.5 miles (23km) in length, it will connect to the existing road network from the A2/M2 to the M25 with two tunnels (one southbound and one northbound) running beneath the River Thames.
• The Lead Environmental Regulator pilots will test a new operating model for how environmental regulators support major development projects. The project team is working with developers and regulators to identify suitable projects on which to pilot the approach. These pilots will test new ways of working and team structures including:
• Better coordination – through clear named contacts for developers, who will coordinate all input, push work ahead at an appropriate speed and resolve issues.
• Ensuring coherent advice across regulators to give developers a single view.
• Streamlined processes sharing data, information and expert advice across all regulators to build a shared project understanding, improve coordination and accelerate decisions.
• Resolving issues to escalate quickly where there is disagreement or divergence, by identifying causes, resolving them and reaching consensus before involving developers or other stakeholders. Proposed innovative solutions will be resolved at working level or escalated quickly, including to the Infrastructure Board. Defra will consider the use of Ministerial powers to unblock issues if necessary.
• Set a proactive, energetic and “can-do” culture across regulators which is focused on enabling development whilst protecting and improving the environment.

On Infrastructure Board:

• The Board will not pre-empt or influence the consenting process, which will continue to be overseen by the Planning Inspectorate.
• The measures announced today support many of the commitments in the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy. For example, the Defra Infrastructure Board will help support fast-tracking 150 planning decisions on major infrastructure projects by the end of this Parliament.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 18 August 2025.

The forthcoming deal will slash red tape, cut costs for businesses, and speed up the smooth flow of agrifood trade at the border.

• Introduction of time-consuming border checks suspended
• It comes ahead of the UK’s forthcoming SPS deal with the EU
• Deal will save businesses time and money by cutting red tape as part of government’s Plan for Change

In a win for traders, the government is suspending the introduction of extra border checks on live animal imports from the EU, and on specific animal and plant goods from Ireland, to support British businesses and ease trade ahead of its new SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) deal with the EU.

The deal will establish a UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary zone, cutting costs and red tape for businesses that export and import from the EU, reducing delays at the border, and making food trade with the UK’s biggest market cheaper and easier.

Under the agreement, border checks on live animal imports from the EU as well as on certain plant and animal goods arriving from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (termed non-qualifying goods) will not be required, as their implementation is disproportionate.

Some live animals imported from the EU will continue to be inspected at their place of destination based on a series of risk factors. Non-qualifying goods arriving from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland can continue to enter the UK without physical inspection, and will continue to require pre-notification and certification in some instance.

Protecting UK biosecurity remains a key government priority, and risk-based surveillance will continue to manage the biosecurity threats of these products.

Biosecurity Minister Baroness Hayman said:

Our deal with the EU will boost British businesses as we cut cumbersome bureaucracy and make trading food with our biggest market both cheaper and easier.

Protecting the UK’s biosecurity is essential, and our partnership with the EU will ensure this while delivering for working people as part of our Plan for Change.”

The suspension will be reviewed on a rolling basis to ensure the biosecurity of the UK is effectively maintained.

The forthcoming SPS agreement will remove routine border checks on plant and animal products moving between the UK and EU, strengthening food supply chains and reducing costs for businesses and consumers.

While the details of the agreement are negotiated, traders must continue to comply with the terms of the UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) that protect the essential biosecurity of the country, including existing checks.

Defra will continue to work with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Border Control Post operators, and Port Health Authorities to maintain UK biosecurity while minimising disruption to the flow of goods.

This suspension follows the announcement in June that border checks on EU fruit and veg imports have been scrapped to ease trade ahead of the SPS deal.