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Tag: Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

  • PRESS RELEASE : New forest for the nation to improve access to green space [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New forest for the nation to improve access to green space [November 2023]

    The press release issued by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 November 2023.

    Government launches competition for a new national forest to improve access to nature.

    A competition for a new national forest will be launched by Environment Secretary Steve Barclay this week, alongside the unveiling of two new Community Forests – in Derbyshire and the Tees Valley – as part of an ambitious package to help people across the country access nature.

    Communities will be able to put their local areas forward to become a new national forest, with the winning location receiving up to £10 million to help fund the project.

    This will build on the success of the National Forest in the Midlands, which spans 200 square miles across parts of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire.

    Applicants will be assessed based on how the new forest would transform the local area, create habitats for wildlife open up access to the countryside, and help the country meet net zero targets.

    The competition will launch this year with successful bids to be announced by autumn 2024.

    The Environment Secretary will set out further plans on improving access to green space later this week, including new Community Forests in Derbyshire and the Tees Valley, which will see around 370 hectares of woodland planted by 2025.

    This is the latest step in the Government’s plans to help people access nature, plant more trees and support nature recovery. Since joining the department earlier this month the Environment Secretary has set out his ambition to help more people get into the outdoors, enjoy the British countryside and preserve our vital natural heritage.

    The Environment Secretary will be attending COP28 next month, where he will set out further action to achieve our ambitious targets to restore the natural world.

    Setting out the plans, Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said:

    Public access to nature is so vital, which is why we pledged in our Environmental Improvement Plan that everyone should have access to green space or water within a 15-minute walk from their home – such as woodlands, wetlands, parks or rivers. This new forest for the nation will help make that happen.

    As a former Health Secretary, I have seen the benefits that nature has for people’s physical and mental wellbeing. Bringing these spaces closer to where people live and work is a key priority for me personally.

    On the importance of trees, he said:

    The value of trees to people and nature has never been clearer. They are vital for our health and security. We can’t do without them. We know that spending time in green spaces and getting hands on with nature has a positive impact on our health and wellbeing, which is why £5.77 million has been invested through our green social prescribing programme to tackle and prevent mental ill health. I will continue to make the case for investment in this area.

    I know how much nature matters, as the response to the terrible felling of the Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland showed. Improving access, planting more trees, protecting nature and creating new green spaces is our pathway to achieving this.

    In my new role as Environment Secretary I am determined to ensure we continue to push forward with this important work and leave the environment in a better state than we found it for future generations.

    Healthy and resilient woodlands will also get further support today through £16 million government funding for the UK’s world-leading forest scientists to address the challenges facing woodlands today – from the impacts of climate change to tree disease and pests such as ips beetles, Dutch elm disease and ash dieback.

    The England Trees Action Plan and Environmental Improvement 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.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Forests fit for the future – government funding announced for new forest research [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Forests fit for the future – government funding announced for new forest research [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 November 2023.

    Healthy and resilient woodlands supported through new £16 million government funding.

    UK research into climate and pest resilient woodlands is set to boosted today with the announcement of £16 million government funding for our world-leading forest scientists.

    Our trees are facing unprecedented challenges from the impacts of climate change to an increased risk of tree disease and pests – including ips beetles, Dutch elm disease and ash dieback. These kinds of diseases threaten valuable habitats for thousands of species of wildlife.

    This funding will support vital research into ways to mitigate and prevent these impacts, helping to protect woodlands and plant more trees in the long term.

    It comes ahead of Environment Secretary Steve Barclay setting out plans this week to improve access to green space, including a competition for a new National Forest and the unveiling of two new Community Forests – in Derbyshire and the Tees.

    The Forest Research programme will back 30 projects, working with 27 partner organisations. It will also support efforts to increase England’s tree canopy – one of the government’s key environment targets.

    Projects benefiting from the funding include:

    • Studying the complex networks of soil nutrients and plant roots to see how they help boost woodlands.
    • Work to better understand how tree seeds can fall naturally and plant themselves
    • Developing our understanding of how drought is impacting tree growth
    • Examining the barriers to agroforestry, where trees and agricultural crops grow on the same piece of land

    Forestry Minister Rebecca Pow said:

    Not only do we need to plant trees, for tomorrow, we also need to support their long-term protection from the host of threats they face due a changing climate.

    Today we are investing a further £16 million in vital research to help support the resilience of our trees and woodland as part of our ambitious plans to increase tree planting across the country.

    Professor James Pendlebury, Chief Executive, Forest Research said:

    This is a significant and welcome investment in the forest science and evidence needed to underpin the creation of resilient woodlands and their future management and protection. It is also a huge investment in the next generation of forest scientists who will support the development of forests and woodlands fit for the future.

    Forestry Commission Chair, Sir William Worsley, said:

    Trees can only help mitigate the impact of a changing climate if they are resilient to those challenges themselves.

    Forest Research will be vital to supporting tree planting activity through building the evidence base to inform and improve our management of trees and selection of resilient species for the future to increase woodland cover for future generations.

    The Forest Research Trees and Forestry evidence programme will leave a lasting legacy, by providing strong scientific evidence to underpin our future forestry policy and support long term action for expanding and managing our treescapes.

    Our England Trees Action Plan and Environmental Improvement 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. Today’s announcement supports the delivery of this ambitious programme and make sure we are using cutting edge science to make decisions.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Bluetongue virus detected in Kent [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Bluetongue virus detected in Kent [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 26 November 2023.

    The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer has urged farmers to remain vigilant for bluetongue virus after the disease was found in five cows in Kent.

    The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Pirbright Institute identified the first case of the disease earlier this month through Great Britain’s annual bluetongue surveillance programme. A 10km temporary control zone has been put in place around the affected farms, restricting the movement of susceptible animals except under licence.

    Bluetongue does not affect people or food safety. The virus is transmitted by midge bites and affects cows, goats, sheep and other camelids such as llamas. The midges are most active between April and November and not all susceptible animals show immediate, or any, signs of contracting the virus. The impacts on susceptible animals can vary greatly – some show no symptoms or effects at all while for others it can cause productivity issues such as reduced milk yield, while in the most severe cases can be fatal for infected animals.

    Through additional surveillance, the Chief Veterinary Officer has today (25 November) confirmed four additional cases of bluetongue virus at two premises in Kent within the temporary control zone. The infected animals will be culled to reduce the risk of onward disease transmission.

    Strict rules on the movement of livestock from regions affected by bluetongue are already in place and farmers are reminded that animals imported from these regions must be accompanied by the relevant paperwork to clearly show they meet certain conditions designed to reduce disease risk, such as correct vaccination.

    Following confirmation of BTV in a non-imported animal in England, some trading partners may restrict exports of bluetongue susceptible animals or their products. The latest information on availability of individual export health certificates can be found on Gov.uk.

    NI and GB ruminants cannot be exported from an GB Assembly Centre to the European Union or moved to Northern Ireland until further notice.

    Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

    “Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, but the disease can impact livestock farms, and cause productivity issues.

    “This detection is an example of our robust disease surveillance procedures in action and it is also a clear reminder for farmers that the disease remains a threat, despite coming towards the end of the midge activity season.

    “Farmers must remain vigilant and report any suspicions to APHA.”

    BTV is a notifiable disease. Suspicion of BTV in animals in England must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 200 301

    More information about bluetongue is available here.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Environment Secretary Steve Barclay – UK stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine to protect global food security [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Environment Secretary Steve Barclay – UK stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine to protect global food security [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 25 November 2023.

    Environment Secretary addresses Kyiv conference and announces further support for Ukraine food security initiatives.

    Environment Secretary Steve Barclay set out a package of support for Ukraine while addressing the international community at the Kyiv International Summit: Grain from Ukraine today – showing the UK’s solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s unprovoked assault.

    In his video address to the conference, the Secretary of State reaffirmed the UK’s support for President Zelenskyy’s Grain from Ukraine initiative, with £3 million of additional funding to enable shipments of Ukrainian grain to Nigeria in 2024, coordinated through the World Food Programme. This follows £5 million that the UK contributed to the initiative in 2022, which facilitated lifesaving grain shipments to Kenya.

    The event comes on the day Ukraine marks Holodomor Memorial Day – the famine caused by the Soviet government forcibly seizing grain and other food from Ukrainians in 1932-33 leading to the deaths of at least 3.9 million people.

    After tearing up the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russia destroyed over 280,000 tonnes of grain in one month, which could have fed over 1.25 million people for a year. In the face of these relentless and targeted attacks on ports and grain infrastructure, the initiative ensures Ukrainian grain still reaches those most in need while protecting global food security, keeping prices down and strengthening markets.

    Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said:

    From our government to our farmers, our solidarity with the people of Ukraine remains cast iron. The UK is committed to ensuring Ukraine can continue to export grain to those most in need.

    I am also proud we will be able to share the UK and Defra’s expertise to help Ukraine’s farmland and nature recover from the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka Dam and the impact of the conflict.

    Environment Secretary Steve Barclay also updated the conference on the development of our Grain Verification Scheme, which is being backed with £2 million in UK funding. The scheme will use cutting edge science to determine where grain has been grown and harvested – supporting Ukraine’s efforts to trace and stop theft of grain from occupied regions. Further information on the scheme will be unveiled early next year.

    Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has also had a disastrous impact on Ukraine’s natural environment. During his speech, the Secretary of State noted the UK’s support to help restore contaminated agricultural land and nature in Ukraine that have been devastated from both flooding and conflict. This includes in June when the Environment Agency provided £16 million of flood equipment, including pumps and temporary barriers, following the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam which led to widespread flooding and damage.

    As part of the Grain from Ukraine programme, Ukraine has sent 170 thousand tonnes of grain to countries experiencing the greatest food insecurity, including Ethiopia, Somalia, and Yemen. The programme is planned to be expanded to other countries in need with the UK providing a further £3 million, which was previously announced by the Prime Minister at the G20 Summit, to fund a shipment of Ukrainian grain to Nigeria.

    The Kyiv International Summit: Grain from Ukraine brought together more than 60 leaders of countries and organisations, covering strengthening Ukraine’s humanitarian role with global food security, expanding the Grain from Ukraine initiative, both in terms of funding and recipient countries, encouraging business involvement in the initiative, coordinating activity to end blockage of and attacks on Black Sea ports by Russia.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK’s agri-food and drink attachés backing British food and drink [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK’s agri-food and drink attachés backing British food and drink [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 20 November 2023.

    The UK’s agri-food and drink attachés were welcomed to 10 Downing Street this morning, marking the start of a week meeting ministers and the nation’s food producers.

    The eleven attachés based in British embassies and consulates around the world – in Canada, Mexico, USA, Brazil, Kenya, The Gulf, India, Japan, China, Thailand and Vietnam – work to remove trade barriers, identify emerging international markets and tap into growing demand worldwide for quality goods from UK farmers and producers.

    In 2023 alone, the attachés have supported the government in resolving 42 agri-food barriers worth an estimated £340 million per year, with 141 new market access agreements delivered since 2020. Their recent successes include securing market access for poultry to Tunisia, sheep embryos to the USA, pork to Chile, trout ova to China and pet food to South Korea.

    This week they will tour the UK, from meeting with producers of whisky and seafood in Scotland to visiting egg farms and meat processors in Shropshire. The attachés will gain first-hand experience of food production and deepen their understanding of the farmers and producers whose interests they represent overseas.

    Secretary of State for Food and Farming Steve Barclay said:

    Backing British farmers is one of my priorities at Defra and our attachés do vital work to ensure they get the best possible deals to export their world-class produce.

    We are expanding the attaché network even further next year, so that our excellent food and drink can continue to reach all corners of the globe.

    While in the UK, the attachés will meet with Food and Farming Minister Mark Spencer and attend an industry brunch hosted by NFU President Minette Batters, in addition to further meetings with the Scotch Whisky Association, Seafood Scotland, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and the Food and Drink Export Council.

    The week provides an opportunity for the attachés to build their relationships with these key stakeholders and share learnings and insights with each other.

    Food and Farming Minister Mark Spencer said:

    I look forward to meeting with our agri-food attachés in Westminster this week and thanking them for the brilliant work they do on behalf of our farmers and food producers.

    The best of British food and drink is now being enjoyed around the world, from Canada to Vietnam – in part thanks to their skilled negotiating and dedication to seeking out new export opportunities.

    Minister for Exports Lord Offord said:

    Growing the agri, food and drink sector is key to boosting our economy and will be vital in our race to reach £1 trillion of exports by 2030.

    Thanks to the work of our agri-food attachés, we’re helping more businesses break into new markets and benefit from exciting new opportunities across the world.

    Defra’s agri-food attaché for Africa said:

    Africa is poised to be one of the world’s biggest global consumer markets, with a growing middle class and a keen appetite for UK products.

    I am thrilled to take part in the attaché engagement week and look forward to meeting with farmers and food producers to discuss how I can help send Scottish salmon to Morocco, whisky to Kenya, poultry to West and Central Africa, and renowned British confectionary to Egypt.

    At the Prime Minister’s Farm to Fork Summit in May, it was announced that five additional attachés would be recruited to expand the network further – attachés covering the regions of Australia and New Zealand; North Europe; South Europe; South Korea and an additional attaché in Africa are expected to be in post by May 2024.

    NFU President Minette Batters said:

    Agri-food attachés play a vital role in delivering our shared ambition of boosting high-quality, climate-friendly British exports abroad which is why we campaigned to grow their number. I’m delighted this network has increased in recent months and I hope it will continue given the incredibly important work they do.

    I look forward to working directly with the attachés this week to share the passion and knowledge within our sector, and ultimately help give them the tools to be the best ambassadors possible for great British produce overseas.

    Dr Phil Hadley, AHDB International Trade Development Director, said:

    We are delighted to play a part in hosting the visit of the government’s agri-food attachés. AHDB recognises the valuable role they play in helping drive export growth. We applaud the government’s continued efforts to expand the agri-food attaché network further to maximise opportunities for our products in global markets.

    One of AHDB’s key strategic objectives is export development, working collaboratively with industry and government, to cultivate further opportunities for our red meat and dairy sectors. The visit of the agri-food attachés will help cement our shared ambition to continue delivering export growth for our high-quality produce.

    Donna Fordyce, CEO of Seafood Scotland said:

    The attachés will visit a Bakkafrost salmon farm, which will include a boat trip to see the pens and discover how the fish are carefully reared in a healthy environment.  Scotland’s aquaculture sector is of great importance to our nation’s economy and we are proud to showcase best practice in action.

    This is a fantastic opportunity for the industry – and us – to engage with attachés from around the world, who each do so much to support our sector with market access and development opportunities.

    Ian McKendrick, International Director at the Scotch Whisky Association, said:

    Supporting our member companies to reduce and remove barriers to trade in established and emerging markets is a key priority, and we work closely with the agri-food and drink attachés and DEFRA to secure the best possible international environment for Scotch Whisky.

    The placement of attachés in key markets around the world, means their input, analysis and market intelligence is a vital channel of information for the industry.

    We are pleased to be able to host them on a fact-finding mission to Scotland, so they can deepen their knowledge of Scotch Whisky and the industry’s priorities so they are better able to speak with authority on issues which impact the industry, and help drive export growth.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government takes further action to drive positive change in the tenant farming sector [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government takes further action to drive positive change in the tenant farming sector [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 16 November 2023.

    This Call for Evidence will explore concerns about poor practice in the tenant farming sector and examine the role of industry and government in addressing them.

    A Call for Evidence to explore the proposal for a Tenant Farming Commissioner and encourage more collaborative tenant-landlord and advisor relationships has been launched by the government today (Thursday 16 November).

    The Call for Evidence will build on important insights from the Rock Review by seeking industry views on the extent of poor practice in the sector – such as a lack of communication between landlords, tenants and their advisors on key business issues such as tenancy renewal and rent reviews – and how to encourage more collaborative tenant-landlord and advisor relationships.

    It will also gather evidence on whether existing ways to register complaints in the industry are effective in addressing poor practice and examine the potential role of an independent Tenant Farming Commissioner who would provide more scrutiny of conduct in the sector and promote codes of good practice.

    Farming Minister Mark Spencer said:

    Tenant farmers are at the heart of our rural economy. We’ve made significant progress in delivering our response to the Rock Review, including making our Environment Land Management schemes more accessible to tenant farmers, and will continue to work closely with tenants, landlords and the wider industry to drive further positive change.

    The Call for Evidence is a further important step forward in achieving this and I encourage farmers, landlords and advisors to express their views to their relevant trade body to make sure experiences from all parts of the sector are heard.

    Today’s announcement builds on the significant progress the government has already made to deliver on key recommendations from the Rock Review.

    This includes the establishment of the Farm Tenancy Forum in July 2023 to prioritise the delivery of the commitments in the Government response to the Rock Review. This Forum is made up of industry representatives of tenant farmers, landlords and professional advisors and is working to consider the unique challenges facing the sector, facilitate more collaborative relationships between landlords and tenants, and help shape farming policy.

    We are also making our Environmental Land Management schemes more accessible to tenant farmers, with thousands of farmers on tenanted and mixed land having expressed an interest in the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and over half of applications in the first round of our Landscape Recovery scheme involving tenanted land.

    The government is also:

    • Working with the sector to develop a new Code of Practice setting standards of responsible conduct for all parties to tenancy agreements.
    • Committed to offering more actions on three-year agreements under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) without requiring landlord consent from 2024.
    • Encouraging collaboration with a wide range of land managers, including tenant farmers, through our Landscape Recovery Scheme.
    • Exploring support for New Entrants through a pilot scheme earlier this year where over 80% of participants who took part came from a non-farming family background. The pilots looked at how we can best support people to enter the sector and increase their opportunities to access land and finance, including support on pitching for tenancies.
    • Tracking data on the amount of land in the tenanted sector to pick up any emerging trends on land resumption and looking for ways to identify drivers of change.

    This comes as the government is providing more than £168 million in grants this year across the industry, including tenant farmers, to drive innovation, support food production, improve animal health and welfare and protect the environment.

    The Call for Evidence will run for 12 weeks until 8 February 2024. Industry trade organisations and professional bodies representing the views and interests of tenant farmers, landlords and professional advisors, as well as from sector experts and forums who have insights and experience within the industry, are invited to respond.

    ENDS

    Notes to Editor:

    • This is a targeted Call for Evidence which has been issued to industry organisations and professional bodies representing the views and interests of tenant farmers, landlords, and professional advisors who work in the tenant farming sector. The Call for Evidence will be open for 12 weeks to ensure that industry organisations and professional bodies have time to engage with their wider membership to gather views on the issues we are exploring. We will also invite responses from other sector experts, and organisations who may have insights, experience, and evidence on the issues we are exploring in this Call for Evidence.
    • The Government Response to the Rock Review was published in May 2023 Government response to the Rock Review: full report – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
    • The Rock Review was published in October 2022, led by Baroness Rock and the Tenancy Working Group, with input from all parts of the tenanted sector including tenants, landlords and agents: Rock Review: working together for a thriving agricultural tenanted sector
    • The joint industry and government Farm Tenancy Forum was established in July 2023 with a key focus on supporting the delivery pf the government response to the Rock Review, the Terms of Reference and membership can be found here: Farm Tenancy Forum: terms of reference – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
  • PRESS RELEASE : Transition period for XL Bully owners begins [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Transition period for XL Bully owners begins [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 14 November 2023.

    Owners who wish to keep their dogs must apply to an exemption scheme or instead can apply for compensation related to euthanasia costs.

    Further legislation to ban XL Bully type dogs has come into force today [14 November] as the transition period for owners to apply for an exemption scheme begins.

    During the transition period, which runs from now until 31 January 2024, owners who wish to keep their dogs must apply to an exemption scheme. Applications for exemption certificates are now open.

    Owners who instead choose to have their dog euthanised can apply for compensation.

    To receive a Certificate of Exemption, owners must hold active public liability insurance for their dog, have had their dog microchipped and pay the application fee.

    Owners will also be required to provide proof that their dog has been neutered by a certain date, depending on the age of the dog.

    If an XL Bully is less than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 31 December 2024. If an XL Bully is older than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 30 June 2024.

    Owners who successfully apply for a Certificate of Exemption must also comply with strict requirements throughout the lifetime of the dog. This includes keeping their dog on a lead and muzzled in public, and keeping the dog in a secure place so it cannot escape.

    After the transition period, owners without a Certificate of Exemption could receive a criminal record and an unlimited fine if they are found to be in possession of an XL Bully type.

    During the transition period, owners who no longer wish to keep their dogs and who arrange for a vet to euthanise them may apply for compensation towards this. Owners and their vets will need to complete a form in order to make a claim.

    Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

    “The transition period for XL Bully dogs has now started. It is important that XL Bully owners read the guidance and take all the necessary steps. This includes applying for a Certificate of Exemption if you want to keep your dog and ensuring they are muzzle trained by the end of the year, as your dog will need to be muzzled and on a lead in public after 31 December 2023.

    “XL breeders should have also now stopped breeding their dogs and I would advise all owners to make an appointment with your vet to get your XL Bully neutered as soon as possible.”

    The announcement follows the introduction of laws last month adding XL Bully type dogs to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

    That legislation set out the requirement from 31 December for XL Bully type dogs to be kept on a lead and muzzled in public, and prohibits breeding, selling, advertising, gifting, exchanging and abandoning these dogs or letting them stray.

    All of these measures ensure that decisive action will be applied quickly to safeguard public safety.

    Owners can access the most up to date information on what action they need to take and when on this dedicated page, Prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

    Owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control are already breaking the law, and the enforcement authorities have a full range of powers to apply penalties to them. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, people can be put in prison for up to 14 years, be disqualified from ownership and their dangerous dogs can be euthanised.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Affordable housing in rural areas boosted by launch of new scheme [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Affordable housing in rural areas boosted by launch of new scheme [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 November 2023.

    New grant scheme will bring forward small-scale developments which meet the needs of the community.

    The £2.5m package will support a network of independent advisors who will work with communities to develop affordable housing schemes. The advisors will help identify suitable development opportunities in communities, and support site owners and community representatives to navigate the planning system and create developments in rural areas that meet the needs of local people.

    The scheme, which is being delivered in conjunction with Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), will help boost the supply of new, affordable homes across England.

    The first payments have been awarded to local partners in Cambridgeshire and Northumberland, with other projects set to be announced across England next year.

    Rural Affairs Minister Lord Benyon said:

    All too often people are unable to live near to the village where they work or were brought up. We are making it a priority that rural communities have access to the housing they need.

    Our support for rural housing advisors will help develop small scale affordable housing schemes that fit in with the local area. Together with our policies to improve transport, connectivity and access to public services, this is another demonstration of our commitment to unleash opportunity in rural areas.”

    Richard Quallington, ACRE’s Executive Director, said:

    We’re thrilled to be delivering this programme for Defra. Many people in rural communities understand there’s a need for much more affordable housing but they are often opposed to unfettered commercial developments that neither fit in with the area, nor create homes that go to those who genuinely need it.

    The decision by the government to back Rural Housing Enablers is hugely positive news as it will mean many more communities across England can access independent support and advice to help them appraise the need for affordable homes locally, navigate complicated planning rules and work with more socially minded developers to bring forward suitable schemes.”

    The expansion of the Rural Housing Enablers scheme was first announced by Defra in the ‘Unleashing Rural Opportunity’ document earlier this summer, which sets out plans to unlock growth and potential in rural areas.

    Other government measures supporting the provision of rural homes for local people include the Rural Exception Sites policy, which facilitates the development of small affordable housing sites in rural areas, and the Affordable Homes Programme, which aims to create high-quality homes and thriving places across England.

    This new funding is part of a number of measures being implemented by the government to strengthen rural communities and invigorate the rural economy, including Project Gigabit, which aims to bring better internet access to rural areas, and Future of Transport Rural Strategy to tackle isolation and increase access to jobs in rural and remote areas.

    This builds on the Government’s manifesto commitment to build 1 million homes over this Parliament. Reaching this target would represent another important milestone in the Government’s housebuilding strategy with over 2.2 million new homes delivered since 2010, and millions of people being moved into home ownership.

    Notes to editors:

    • To learn more about the Rural Housing Enablers scheme, visit ACRE’s website: Action with Communities in Rural England – ACRE
    • In the first payments from the fund, £81,000 is being awarded in Northumberland to Community Action Northumberland and a payment of £93,000 is being made in Cambridgeshire to Cambridgeshire ACRE. This will enable the creation of a new Rural Housing Enabler scheme in Northumberland and the expansion of an existing Rural Housing Enabler project in Cambridgeshire.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Environmental principles duty comes into force [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Environmental principles duty comes into force [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 1 November 2023.

    Under the duty set out in the Environment Act 2021, ministers and policy makers must consider the environmental impact of new policies.

    A new environmental principles duty – a measure to ensure the environment is at the heart of governmental policy making – comes into force today (Wednesday 1 November).

    The duty reflects the government’s commitment to leaving the environment in a better state for future generations, ensuring that green issues are taken into account throughout the decision-making process. This will help the government to meet the targets outlined in the Environmental Improvement Plan and will ensure that environmental impacts are always given due consideration when policy is drafted.

    Under the duty, ministers and policy makers must consider the environmental impact of new policies, following a framework of key principles:

    • The integration principle, which is the principle that environmental protection should be integrated into the making of policies.
    • The prevention principle, which states that government policy makers should aim to prevent environmental harm.
    • The rectification at source principle, which means that policy should address environmental damage at the source, to avoid the need to remedy its effects later.
    • The polluter pays principle, which states that where possible, the costs of environmental damage should be borne by those causing it, rather than the person who suffers the effects of the resulting environmental damage, or the wider community.
    • The precautionary principle, which provides that where the threat of serious or irreversible environmental damage exists, a lack of scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.

    The duty applies to new or revised policies made across government, with exceptions for national security and spending decisions, and delivers on commitments included in the Environment Act 2021 for Ministers of the Crown to have legal due regard to these principles.

    Nature Minister Trudy Harrison said:

    This government has gone further and faster to protect nature than any other, and the introduction of this duty further reaffirms our commitment to leave the environment in a better state than we found it.

    Considering the environment across government policy will support our wider efforts to restore halt species loss and protect our much-loved landscapes, green spaces and the marine environment.

    The principles are designed to guide policymakers towards opportunities to prevent environmental damage and enhance the environment. These are internationally recognised as successful benchmarks for environmental protection and enhancement.

    The duty is outlined in detail in the Environmental Principles Policy Statement, published earlier this year, which outlines how to interpret and proportionately apply the principles. Ministers and the officials advising them on policy need to thoroughly consider these principles throughout the policy development process.

    Work has been underway to implement the new duty across government, including working with policymakers, lawyers and analysts.

    The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) will monitor and report on implementation of the duty across government.

    Environmental protection is devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, subject to a small number of reserved areas. Therefore, each devolved administration can legislate individually for the Environmental Principles in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively.

  • PRESS RELEASE : XL Bully type dogs to be banned [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : XL Bully type dogs to be banned [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 31 October 2023.

    From 31 December 2023 breeding, selling, advertising, rehoming, abandoning and allowing an XL Bully dog to stray will be illegal.

    New laws banning XL Bully type dogs have been laid in Parliament today, as the Government adds the breed to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

    The announcement fulfils the Government’s pledge to put in place laws to ban the breed by the end of the year and protect the public following a concerning rise in fatal attacks.

    Under the new rules, which come into force at the end of the year, it will be illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon or allow XL Bully dogs to stray in England and Wales.

    From this date, these dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public. Owners of XL Bully dogs are recommended to start training their dog to wear a muzzle and to walk on a lead ahead of the legal restrictions coming into force.

    Breeders have also been told to stop mating these types of dogs from now in preparation of it being a criminal offence to sell or rehome these dogs.

    From 1 February 2024 , it will then become illegal to own an XL Bully dog if it is not registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs. By staggering these two dates, current owners of this breed will have time to prepare for these new rules.

    Owners who wish to keep their dogs will have until the end of January to register them and will be forced to comply with strict requirements. As well as being muzzled and kept on a lead in public, these dogs must also be microchipped and neutered.

    Dogs under one year when the ban comes in must be neutered by the end of the year, older dogs must be neutered by the end of June.

    From 1 February, owners without a Certificate of Exemption face a criminal record and an unlimited fine if they are found to be in possession of an XL Bully type, and their dog could be seized.

    Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:

    We are taking quick and decisive action to protect the public from tragic dog attacks and today I have added the XL Bully type to the list of dogs prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

    It will soon become a criminal offence to breed, sell, advertise, rehome or abandon an XL Bully type dog, and they must also be kept on a lead and muzzled in public. In due course it will also be illegal to own one of these dogs without an exemption.

    We will continue to work closely with the police, canine and veterinary experts, and animal welfare groups, as we take forward these important measures.

    Owners may choose to have their dog put to sleep by a vet, with compensation provided to help with these costs. Further details on how to apply for compensation and the evidence required to make a claim will be provided soon.

    As part of the process, the definition of the ‘XL Bully’ breed type has also been published today. This follows meetings of an expert group, convened by the Environment Secretary and made up of police, local authority, vets and other animal welfare experts to help define the breed. The definition provides clear assessment criteria for owners and enforcement authorities and is a requirement under the Dangerous Dogs Act in order to deliver the ban.

    Owners can access the most up to date information on what action they need to take and when on this dedicated page, Prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

    Owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control are already breaking the law, and the enforcement authorities have a full range of powers to apply penalties to them. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, people can be put in prison for up to 14 years, be disqualified from ownership or their dangerous dogs can be euthanised.