Tag: Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 23 February 2024.

Certain fishermen to benefit from fast-tracked applications to Fisheries and Seafood Scheme.

New measures to help fishermen affected by restrictions to pollack fishing for 2024 have been announced by the government today (Friday 23 February).

Hand-and-pole line fishermen of under-10m vessels, which includes some of those affected by the zero Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for pollack, will be able to benefit from fast-tracked applications for a share of £6 million in grant funding available through the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme.

Separately, they will also have the opportunity to be paid for their participation in a new scientific study which will aim to understand more about the stock structure of pollack – and sell the pollack that they catch as part of the study.

During recent fisheries negotiations with the EU, it was decided pollack can only be caught as bycatch in 2024. This followed advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) to set the TAC for pollack to zero.

The government’s approach to negotiating catch limits is based on the latest scientific advice, balanced with commitments to economic sustainability and providing opportunities for the UK fleet, consistent with the objectives of the Fisheries Act.

Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer said:

We fully recognise the impact that the bycatch-only pollack fishery has had on many fishermen in the South West and today’s measures will provide support to those most affected.

Grant funding will help to support them to diversify and explore other income streams, whilst their participation in a new scientific study will not only provide additional support but help to improve our understanding of the pollack stock as we look to improve its sustainability into the future.”

Fisheries and Seafood Scheme

The Fisheries and Seafood scheme (FaSS) has relaunched for 2024, with approximately £6 million in match funding available to projects that support the development of the catching, processing and aquaculture sectors, and those enhancing the marine environment.

Administered by Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on behalf of Defra, applications from all fishermen are encouraged, but hand-and-pole line fishermen of under-10m vessels, which includes some of those affected by the zero TAC for pollack, will see their applications fast-tracked, with processing time reduced from eight weeks to four weeks.

This will help to get support to those most affected more quickly, helping them with diversification and to explore new forms of income.

New scientific study

Separately, affected fishermen will also have the opportunity to supplement this income through taking part in a new scientific study led by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas).

The study will be open to all fishermen and will see collaboration between scientists and fishermen to increase understanding about the stock structure of pollack.

Fishermen will catch pollack for use in the study, receiving payments for their initial training and for their participation in the study – and would be able to sell the pollack they have caught.

Applications, along with detailed eligibility criteria, will be open as soon as possible.

Longer-term management

To improve the longer-term management of pollack, the UK will work with the EU via the Specialised Committee on Fisheries (SCF) towards an improved assessment of the stock.

The government will continue to work with industry representatives as part of this. This joint work will also help to improve our understanding of the recreational fishery, with a view to the introduction of limits where appropriate and where these are likely to be effective in reducing pressure on the stock.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 20 February 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 from 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 ageing 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 20 February 2024.

Prime Minister and Environment Secretary attend NFU Conference and announce range of measures to ensure all farmers and producers are treated fairly.

The government has today (Tuesday 20 February) underlined its commitment to deliver on its plan to support profitable farming businesses, improve food security and protect the British agriculture sector for generations to come.

Speaking at the National Farmers Union Conference in Birmingham, the Prime Minister and the Environment Secretary announced a range of measures to boost productivity and resilience in the sector, including the largest ever grant offer for farmers in the coming financial year, expected to total £427 million.

This includes doubling investment in productivity schemes, bolstering schemes such as the Improving Farming Productivity grant, which provides support for farmers to invest in automation and robotics, as well as solar installations to build on-farm energy security.

The Prime Minister also announced a new annual UK-wide Food Security Index to capture and present the data needed to monitor levels of food security, that the Farm to Fork Summit will be held annually, and a £15 million fund to help tackle food waste by enabling farmers to redistribute surplus food that cannot be used commercially at the farm gate.

This comes as new regulations will be laid in Parliament tomorrow to ensure fair and transparent contracts for dairy farmers, meaning clearer pricing terms for farmers; changes to contracts can’t be imposed on farmers without their agreement; and providing more straightforward ways for farmers to raise concerns about their contracts. Alongside this, a review is also set to launch to improve fairness in the poultry supply chain.

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said:

For generations, farmers have worked day in, day out to put food on our tables and are custodians of our beautiful British countryside. This is why we committed £2.4 billion to support British farming and have invested into the sector to boost agricultural productivity and resilience, increase food security and deliver for the environment, delivering on our plan.

This includes the largest ever package of competitions and grants to foster technology and innovation, bolstered by our increasingly popular farming schemes that support all types and size of farm businesses to produce food sustainably.

The government also confirmed farmers will benefit from the improved Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) from July this year, following the announcement by the Environment Secretary Steve Barclay in January.

The improved offer includes a 10% increase in the average value of agreements in SFI and Countryside Stewardship (CS); a streamlined single application process for farmers to apply for the SFI and CS Mid-Tier; and around 50 new actions that farmers can get paid for.

In addition, the government will double the Management Payment for SFI so those with existing agreements will receive up to an extra £1,000 this spring and it will be extended to Countryside Stewardship mid tier for the first year of agreements starting by March 2025. This means that the 11,000 farmers that have applied for SFI will receive that top up this spring.

At the conference, the Environment Secretary Steve Barclay will host a roundtable with regional NFU board members to discuss the opportunities and issues facing farmers around the country. The Farming Minister Mark Spencer will speak at the conference as part of a political session on Wednesday.

Farming Minister Mark Spencer said:

Maintaining food security and boosting sustainable food production is vital as we see the impacts of more extreme weather and global events, and today’s announcements provide further support for farmers to deliver this while also protecting the environment.

Almost half of farmers across the country are already signed up to our farming schemes and we continue to work closely with farmers to tweak and improve our offer so as many farmers as possible are encouraged to get involved.

Further measures announced include making up to £500,000 available to deliver projects that support mental health in the farming sector; and expanding permitted development rights to help farm businesses diversify and run profitable businesses, such as farm shops and sports venues.

Funding will also be provided to Internal Drainage Boards that protect agricultural land and rural communities from flooding, helping areas recover from recent flooding events and modernising infrastructure to lower costs for farmers and increase their resilience to climate change.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 19 February 2024.

Experts and academics are invited to join a new science network that will help to provide evidence on the environmental impact of deep-sea mining.

The UK Government has today (Monday 19 February) launched a new UK-based environmental science network, to gather scientific data, and carry out world-class research to help assess the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining.

Eligible applicants can now apply to join the network and share their expertise to help fill in the current evidence gaps in understanding the consequences of deep-sea mining on our ecosystems. Bringing together the UK’s environmental science expertise to share internationally will help the UK ensure that the highest environmental standards are enforced on deep sea mining.

The network will work alongside the UK’s recent decision to support a moratorium on the granting of exploitation licences for deep sea mining projects by the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

The moratorium means the UK will not sponsor or support licences until sufficient scientific evidence is available to assess the impacts of deep-sea mining activities on marine ecosystems and strong, enforceable environmental regulations, standards and guidelines have been developed and adopted by the ISA.

Marine Minister Lord Benyon said:

The UK is committed to protecting the world’s ocean and improving the conservation of our marine ecosystems, so it’s important that we ensure the best environmental standards are in place so damaging activities like deep-sea mining are strongly regulated.

This new network is a further step in showing how we can use the scientific expertise that is on offer to protect and improve the conservation of our marine biodiversity.”

Professor Daniel Jones from National Oceanography Centre said:

The new DSM Environmental Science Network is an excellent way to harness the skills of the UK community with expertise on environments of interest for deep-sea mining. It will enable the very active research being carried out by UK scientists to be communicated quickly and effectively to the government to support evidence-based decision making on this topic.

Dr. Adrian Glover, Merit Researcher at the Natural History Museum, said:

In joining the environmental science network, we are pleased to continue our research on the deep-sea to provide free, critical biodiversity data to everyone. At this crucial time in our planet’s history, it is important all activities that impact the natural world are informed by robust, evidence-based science.

The UK is committed to protecting and driving ocean conservation. Over recent years, the UK has:

• Committed to protecting at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030 through a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), and driven this forward through UK-chaired Global Ocean Alliance
• Supported developing countries to protect the marine environment through projects to protect and restore habitats such as mangroves, coral reefs and seagrasses through the £500 million Blue Planet Fund
• Tackled the scourge of plastic pollution, recently consulting on a ban on wet wipes containing plastic, as part of efforts to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042.
• Designated the first three Highly Protected Marine areas in English waters, enabling nature to fully recover by removing all harmful activities including fishing, construction and dredging, increasing marine biodiversity and supporting climate-resilient ecosystems to thrive.
• Created a comprehensive network of marine protected areas, in English waters there are 181 sites protecting 40% of our seas.
• Recently implemented a byelaw that restricts bottom towed fishing gear over rock and reef habitat in a further 13 MPAs.

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

In a world first, developers in England are now required to deliver 10% Biodiversity Net Gain when building new housing, industrial or commercial developments.

From today (Monday 12 February), all major housing developments are required to deliver at least a 10% benefit for nature with England becoming the first country in the world to make Biodiversity Net Gain a legal requirement.

Biodiversity Net Gain, introduced through the world-leading Environment Act, will help deliver the government’s commitment to halt species decline by 2030. It means developers in England are now legally required to deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity when major building projects are undertaken. Many housing developers are already successfully operating Biodiversity Net Gain and recognising the benefits for people and nature. But from today, it will be mandatory.

To help Local Planning Authorities integrate Biodiversity Net Gain at a local level, £10.6 million of funding is being committed to help local authorities recruit and expand ecologist teams, investing in green jobs and increasing capacity to create new wildlife-rich habitats alongside developments.

Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow, said:

“Biodiversity Net Gain will help us deliver the beautiful homes the country needs, support wildlife and create great places for people to live.

“This government is going further and faster for nature, since 2010 we have restored an area for nature larger than the size of Dorset, banned micro plastics and set ambitious targets to halt biodiversity decline.

“This vital tool builds on our work to reverse the decline in nature and for everyone to live within a 15-minute walk of a green space or water and will transform how development and nature can work together to benefit communities.”

Natural England Chair, Tony Juniper, said:

“If we are to halt and reverse the decline of wildlife in line with our ambitious national targets then it will be vital to ensure that new habitats are created to compensate those being lost to developments.

“Biodiversity Net Gain is a key moment on our path to halting the decline of nature, enabling developers to make a positive contribution through creating new habitats, increasing access to green spaces, and building healthy and resilient places for people to live and work.

“Many developers are already using Biodiversity Net Gain in new developments and recognising the benefits for people and nature.”

Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:

“I am delighted that Biodiversity Net Gain will restore vital habitats, accelerate species recovery, and connect people with nature in their daily lives.

“Through our unique role as an operator, developer, and advisor, we have a strong track record of designing and managing solutions that have brought multiple benefits to people and wildlife, including ways to make space for water and to slow its flow.

“Our expertise in the water environment has enabled us to participate fully in the development and implementation of BNG.”

David Mooney, CEO of London Wildlife Trust, said:

“We need to take this opportunity and make sure Biodiversity Net Gain can help towards nature’s recovery. Central government, local authorities, developers, and nature charities like The Wildlife Trusts must work together to bring nature to our doorsteps and wildlife to our windows.”

Developers like Berkeley Group have been carrying out developments using Biodiversity Net Gain for several years.

Rob Perrins, Chief Executive of Berkeley Group, said:

“Biodiversity Net Gain is a positive step for the homebuilding industry and will bring nature back to our towns and cities. Putting this into practice on over 50 sites has been a hugely positive experience for Berkeley Group and these greener, wilder landscapes have huge benefits for the communities around them.

“The challenge now is to make sure that developers and planning authorities take a positive and collaborative approach to delivering Biodiversity Net Gain across the country. This is a big change for everyone involved and we need to work together to unlock the full benefits for people, planet, and prosperity.”

Biodiversity Net Gain requires development to avoid harm to nature, but where that is unavoidable, developers must create new habitats or enhance existing ones either within the site itself or by investing in nature sites elsewhere. Biodiversity Net Gain means there will be more nature after a development than before. Where this is not possible, developers can purchase off-site biodiversity units from landowners via a private market.

Local authorities have a range of tools to help them enforce Biodiversity Net Gain, while the Environment Act 2021 includes mechanisms to ensure that commitments through conservation covenants are adhered to. Off-site projects will be tracked and monitored through a digital register maintained by Natural England.

Biodiversity Net Gain for small sites will still be applicable from April 2024, and implementation for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects remains planned for 2025. Biodiversity Net Gain will prioritise on-site nature development to deliver the maximum benefits for people and nature.

England is the only country in the world with mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain, further cementing our position as world leader on the environment. The UK was also the first country in the world to have legally binding targets to halt the decline of nature. Since the launch of the Environmental Improvement Plan in January 2023, the government has delivered on over 50 commitments to protect and restore our natural environment including a ban on single-use plastics, planting nearly 5 million trees, introducing the Species Survival Fund, and improving public access to nature with 245 additional miles opened along the King Charles III England Coast Path.

How Biodiversity Net Gain works

• Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) will apply to new planning applications, rather than existing applications.
• BNG is measured in biodiversity units calculated through the statutory metric tool. This calculates how many units a habitat contains before development, to then calculate how many biodiversity units are needed to provide at least 10% BNG.
• The statutory biodiversity metric considers the size, quality, location, and type of habitat.
• BNG can be achieved through on-site units, off-site units, or through statutory biodiversity credits. These credits will be available as a last resort from the government, to prevent delays in the planning system.
• It is also important that BNG provides lasting benefits for the environment. That is why we have set out how the improved significant on-site and off-site habitats will be managed for the long term. Significant on-site and all off-site gains will need a legal agreement with a responsible body or local authority to monitor the habitat improvements over the 30-year period.
• As BNG is implemented on 12 February it will apply to applications for major developments only and will be implemented for small sites (between 1 and 9 dwellings) from 2 April 2024. Roll-out of BNG for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects is expected in late 2025.
• Natural England has also created a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan template to support management.

On-site and off-site BNG

• Through the new biodiversity gain hierarchy on-site BNG is prioritised, which involves developers creating new habitats or enhancing existing habitats on the development site.
• If this is not possible, developers can buy off-site biodiversity units from landowners via a private market. Landowners may include private organizations, farmers, local authorities and NGOs.
• After both on-site and off-site BNG have been considered, as a last resort, developers will be able to purchase statutory biodiversity credits from the government, which will be reinvested in habitat projects across the nation. This will help to ensure that delays in the planning system can be avoided.

The delivery of BNG within the red line boundary must be considered first before looking off-site.

Case study

• The Green Quarter is a case study of ambitious regeneration in Ealing.

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

Water bosses are set to be banned from receiving bonuses if a company has committed serious criminal breaches, the Environment Secretary has announced today.

• Environment Secretary tells water companies that no-one should profit from illegal behaviour
• Calls on water company bosses to take responsibility for inexcusable breaches damaging the environment

Water bosses are set to be banned from receiving bonuses if a company has committed serious criminal breaches, the Environment Secretary has announced today.

Ofwat will be taking forward a consultation to define the criteria for a ban. That could include successful prosecution for a Category 1 or 2 pollution incident – such as causing significant pollution at a bathing site or conservation area – or where a company has been found guilty of serious management failings.

The ban would apply to all executive board members and Chief Executives and would be expected to come into effect later this year, subject to consultation. If taken forward, Ofwat would implement the measures by changing the conditions of water company licences. For water companies in England this would be done using the powers given to the regulator through the Environment Act 2021.

Last year 10 water bosses received bonuses, totalling £2.5 million.

The measures form part of the government’s long-term strategy to tackle pollution, clean up British waters and ensure a plentiful supply for the future.

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said:

No-one should profit from illegal behaviour and it’s time that water company bosses took responsibility for that.

Tougher action is needed to address poor performance by water companies, which is why I am pleased Ofwat is going further today on bonus payments. In cases where companies have committed criminal breaches there is no justification whatsoever for paying out bonuses. It needs to stop now.

I will shortly be setting out more detail on further steps to clean up our waters, including reducing the reliance on water company self-monitoring in order to hold them to account and drive the improvements we all need to see.

The change follows the Environment Secretary’s recent meeting with water company chief executives where he set out his expectations on performance – and also builds on Ofwat’s announcement last year to tighten restrictions on bonuses.

The policy would be expected to apply to FY24/25 bonuses from April onwards – but the government is clear that companies should follow these proposed new criteria for FY23/24 bonuses on a voluntary basis.

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

The government has announced the recipients of awards to improve lowland peat soils, including over £1.3m to projects across the North.

Peatlands are our largest terrestrial carbon store, however, as a result of centuries of drainage for agriculture, just 1% of England’s lowland peatlands remain in a near-natural state, and these drained peatlands account for 88% of all greenhouse gas emissions from England’s peat.

The projects will use government funding to improve the management of water on lowland peat and enhance understanding of climate change impacts and flood risk.

The projects in the North are:

• Lancashire Wildlife Trust were awarded £327,500 for a wetter farming trial and a feasibility study.
• Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside were awarded £100,200 to investigate the feasibility of re-wetting areas of Lindow Moss.
• National Trust, Cheshire, were awarded £65,000 to produce a wider costed water-management plan, including undertaking detailed surveys to understand the extent and nature of the peat soils.
• Mersey Rivers Trust were awarded £55,000 to develop knowledge of the current condition of the lowland peat soils and explore whether wetter farming is a viable option.
• Yorkshire Wildlife Trust were awarded £342,000 for a project focused on the technical and economic implications of raising water levels on 7 farms, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about long-term land use.
• Reedness and Swinefleet Internal Drainage Board were awarded £264,000 for a connectivity and hydrological study at the Thorne, Crowle & Goole Moor Peatlands to ensure cross-beneficial needs for both peat restoration and flood management.
• Vale of Pickering Internal Drainage Board were awarded £160,000 to develop a better understanding of the River Hertford catchment in terms of water management, with a view to how IDB operations need to change if re-wetting peatlands were pursued.     The four successful projects in the north west will use government funding to look to improve the management of water on lowland peat and enhance understanding of climate change impacts and flood risk.

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

I was incredibly encouraged by the number of exciting applications to the Lowland Agriculture Peat – Water Discovery Pilot. They represent a diverse array of applicants, from across the breadth of the lowland peat areas.

Over the coming year, evidence from these local collaboration pilots will be the first step in understanding costs, benefits and risks from changing water management within lowland agriculture peat soils. The pilots will produce costed water-management plans, which will help us to balance our aims to reduce climate change impacts and flood risk, improve biodiversity and support sustainable agriculture.

Helen Earnshaw, Peat Project Officer at Lancashire Wildlife Trust, added:

We are really excited to have been awarded this funding which will help us expand our work looking at wetter farming practices on lowland agricultural peat.

We know that many conventional farming practices need to change, but the farming community need to know what will and won’t work before they can make the shift to more sustainable farming techniques.

This funding will allow us to undertake a farm-scale wetter farming trial, on a real working farm, providing vital data and evidence for both farmers and policymakers.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 5 February 2024.

The Environment Agency launches Economic Crime Unit to address serious financial offences in the waste sector.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 3 February 2024.

The Forest for the Nation will improve public access to nature and provide a boost for our native wildlife.

The Forest for the Nation has moved a step closer today (Saturday 3 February) with the launch of a new major multi-million-pound grant funding competition.

The competition is inspired by the success of the original National Forest which transformed a large area of the Midlands from an industrial landscape to a thriving 200 square mile treescape rich with wildlife.

The new Forest for the Nation is set to build on the achievement with the aim of transforming more local communities and landscapes. Organisations from across England are now invited to put forward their local areas to become the new Forest for the Nation, with the winning bid announced in the autumn and receiving up to £10 million to help fund their project.

The competition will put local people at its heart with the winning applicant needing to tell a compelling story of how the new forest will benefit local communities but also have a national impact for people, nature and the environment. Projects could include those that show real innovation in woodland and forest creation and other forms of tree planting, have a transformational impact for nature recovery in the area or boost community engagement with woodlands.

Forestry Minister Rebecca Pow said:

“We are investing in our communities and the new Forest for the Nation will not only boost tree-planting in local areas, but will create a lasting legacy and benefit future generations.

“More trees means more green jobs, more wildlife, more nature recovery and more timber. This will have a positive impact on local people and their communities enabling a more sustainable future.”

Forestry Commission Chair Sir William Worsley said:

“Trees bring multiple benefits for future generations, and the new Forest for the Nation will improve access to nature and connect more people with our countryside to boost health and wellbeing.

“The Forest for the Nation will learn from the success of the National Forest in transforming lives of local people, preventing nature loss and creating green jobs, and I urge organisations to consider applying before the deadline.”

Stage 1 of the competition will close in March 2024 with the successful applicants going to stage 2 where they will be directly supported by the National Forest Company to work up detailed proposals. The winning project will also receive mentoring from the National Forest Company, who will share their experience and best practice from more than 30 years of growing a woodland with national impact. The National Forest Company have to date planted 9 million trees and are recognised for creating one of the most ambitious and imaginative regeneration projects in the country.

National Forest Company Chief Executive John Everitt said:

“This competition provides a platform for new projects to come together at a landscape scale and demonstrate real ambition and innovation in woodland creation, access and biodiversity.

“It will be a transformational opportunity for the successful project just as the National Forest has been for its 200 square miles of the Midlands”.

The competition first announced in November is the latest step in the Government’s plans to help people access nature, plant more trees and support nature recovery. The England Trees Action Plan and Environmental Action Plan set out ambitious targets to treble tree planting rates by the end of this Parliament and to achieve at least 16.5% of tree and woodland cover by 2050.

• For more information, including links to upcoming webinars providing potential applicants the opportunity to ask questions about the competition, visit Forest for the Nation competition – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
• The new Forest for the Nation competition invites bids from across England for ambitious and innovative woodland creation and management projects. This can include partnerships which involve connecting and enhancing existing woodlands.
• To be the overall winner, applicants must have agreement from an English Local Authority to receive and distribute the Section 31 grant to the delivery partner and manage the relationship between them and the delivery partner.
• The new Forest for the Nation will support the England Trees Action Plan, which is committed to treble tree planting rates in England by the end of this Parliament. Its delivery is funded by the Nature for Climate Fund, which is over £750m.
• The new Forest for the Nation will also support the government’s statutory tree and woodland targets to increase tree canopy and woodland cover of England to 16.5% by 2050.
• Additionally, the project will support specific Environmental Improvement Plan aims such as plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, restoring nature and helping to bend the curve of biodiversity loss.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 2 February 2024.

New measures aim to reduce dog attacks on livestock.

Tougher powers to tackle livestock worrying have taken a significant step forward today (2 February) with the announcement of government backing for new legislation.

Livestock worrying – when dogs chase, attack, or cause distress to livestock – can result in significant injury and suffering and in the worst cases, the death of the animals involved. These incidents are also distressing for livestock keepers and can have significant financial costs.

Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill – a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by Dr Thérèse Coffey MP – the police will be given greater powers to respond to livestock worrying incidents more effectively – making it easier for them to collect evidence and, in the most serious cases, seize and detain dogs to reduce the risk of further attacks.

Since the original 1953 Act was brought in, the number of livestock in England and Wales has doubled with more people visiting the countryside.

By supporting the Bill, the Government is delivering on pledges made in its Action Plan for Animal Welfare and recognising the financial and emotional impacts farmers face as a result of dog attacks on livestock.

Farming Minister Mark Spencer said:

“Livestock worrying has a devastating impact, causing distress to farmers and their animals, as well as the financial implications.

“This Bill will crack down on this issue, widening the scope to protect more farm animals covered by law and giving police more powers to act. We will do all we can to support its swift passage through Parliament.”

Dr Thérèse Coffey MP said:

“We have heard from the police that they need more up to date powers to help them identify the dogs that are attacking and worrying livestock, and subsequently their owners. It is great to get out and enjoy nature, but dog owners should be careful and ideally put their dogs on a lead when on or near a working farm to avoid such attacks.”

The Bill would modernise existing legislation to ensure it remains fit for purpose, including extending the livestock definition to include alpacas and llamas and widening locations where enforcement can be taken to roads and paths.

The Bill will also address current enforcement challenges and give the police more powers to seize dogs after serious incidents and greater powers of entry, as well as the power to take evidence samples from livestock and dogs help investigate these crimes.

Support for this Bill builds on the Government’s efforts to enhance our world-leading standards of animal welfare. The UK was the first country in the world to introduce animal cruelty offences and is the highest ranked G7 nation according to World Animal Protection’s Index.  Our flagship Action Plan for Animal Welfare committed us to going even further to protect animals.

The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill – which is only possible now we have left the European Union – will put an end to the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening from Great Britain, stopping animals enduring unnecessary stress, exhaustion and injury on long journeys.

The recently introduced Pet Abduction Bill – which has government support – will create a new specific offence to tackle dog and cat abduction.

Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare in 2021, we have also brought in new laws to recognise animal sentience, introduced tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences; extended the ivory ban to cover other ivory bearing species; introduced legislation to ban the keeping of primates as pets and supported legislation to ban glue traps, the import of detached shark fins and measures to ban the advertising and offering for sale of low welfare activities abroad.