Tag: Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

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

A continuous path from the Scottish border to Gibraltar point in Lincolnshire has officially been completed with the trail between Easington to Bridlington  .

The final stretch of King Charles III England Coast Path in Yorkshire and the North East has officially opened today (18 August)

The new stretch joins Easington to Bridlington, forming a continuous path from the Scottish border down to Gibraltar point, in Lincolnshire, some 397 miles. It is the latest part of the 2,700 mile (4345km) national path to be completed.

Commencing at the village of Easington, the King Charles III England Coast Path traces a remarkable route northward along the Holderness coastline. The path reveals a striking juxtaposition between industrial landscapes, such as the Easington Gas Terminal, and the natural beauty of the ever-changing clay cliffs and expansive beaches below.

Progressing north, the trail passes through the resort town of Withernsea and crosses the first landfall of the Prime Meridian near Sand Le Mere. It continues past the historic site of the former RAF Cowden before arriving at Hornsea, a coastal town noted for its recently regenerated Victorian Promenade and charming seaside character.

The journey then skirts the vibrant holiday parks that dot the Holderness coast, eventually reaching the rolling dunes south of Bridlington. From there, the path enters the town’s lively harbour and esplanade before culminating in North Bridlington.

1,800 Miles Done, 900 To Go

The King Charles III England Coast Path will be a 2,700-mile long National Trail around the whole of the English coast, passing through some of our finest countryside and some of England’s most stunning, dynamic and internationally famous coastal scenery.

Natural England has worked in partnership with local authorities to open 1814 miles of the route so far – connecting communities from Northumberland to Cumbria via Cornwall.

Commenting on the approval, Paul Duncan Natural England Deputy Director for Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, said:

Todays new route opens up easy access to our spectacular local coastline for people across the country. It invites visitors to discover the stunning North East shoreline, renowned for its unique blend of heritage and seaside charm, featuring historic gems like Withernsea Pier Towers and Bridlington Harbour.

With this latest, and final stretch, for Yorkshire and North East marking 1814 miles of the King Charles III England Coast Path now open, the benefits of walking for health and wellbeing through getting closer to nature are becoming more available for all. The trail will also support the local economy and growth – bringing walkers and visitors to the towns and villages for daytrips, refreshments and places to stay.

Connecting Coastal Communities

Councillor Barbara Jefferson, cabinet member for heritage and coastal at East Riding of Yorkshire Council said:

We are delighted to announce that the final section of the new National Trail is now open, seamlessly connecting the previously established stretches of the King Charles III England Coast Path.

Thanks to funding from Natural England, a range of enhancements have been carried out to bring the path up to National Trail standards, with particular attention given to accessibility and environmental sustainability. Walking is a year-round activity, and its ability to extend the tourism season makes it a valuable contributor to the local economy.

This newly completed route is expected to attract both domestic and international visitors, inviting them to experience our natural landscapes, heritage, culture and recreational opportunities. It will also enrich the walking experience for local residents who already enjoy the path.

The King Charles III England Coast Path represents a positive development for coastal communities, creating stronger links between them and encouraging exploration through a continuous, scenic walking route.

Start your adventure and discover your perfect trail with National Trails. So that everyone can make the most of the King Charles III England Coast Path, please follow the Countryside Code. This includes not bringing BBQs or dropping litter, and not lighting fires or camping stoves.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 12 August 2025.

Five areas remain in drought with six more in prolonged dry weather.

The National Drought Group met today (Monday 11 August) with the current water shortfall situation in England now defined as a “nationally significant incident.”

Five areas are officially in drought, with six more experiencing prolonged dry weather following the driest six months to July since 1976.

Despite the unsettled weather last month, many river flows and reservoir levels in England continued to recede compared to June.

Rainstorms and showers helped mask the fact that July was still the fifth warmest on record.

August has started to see a return of drier conditions and the fourth heatwave of the summer – putting more pressure on already struggling public water supplies and navigational waterways.

The National Drought Group – which includes the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, the National Farmers’ Union, Canal & River Trust, anglers, and conservation experts – used the meeting to highlight the water-saving measures each sector is taking.

They also praised the public for reducing their own daily usage, with Yorkshire Water reporting a 10% reduction in domestic demand following their hosepipe ban. This equates to saving up to 80 million litres per day – equivalent to 32 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The less water that is used, the less needs to be abstracted from local rivers – therefore protecting the health of our waterways and wildlife.

The Environment Agency’s Director of Water and NDG chair, Helen Wakeham said:

The current situation is nationally significant, and we are calling on everyone to play their part and help reduce the pressure on our water environment.

Water companies must continue to quickly fix leaks and lead the way in saving water. We know the challenges farmers are facing and will continue to work with them, other land users, and businesses to ensure everyone acts sustainably.

We are grateful to the public for following the restrictions, where in place, to conserve water in these dry conditions. Simple, everyday choices – such as turning off a tap or deleting old emails – also really helps the collective effort to reduce demand and help preserve the health of our rivers and wildlife.

The recent rainfall has been welcomed by growers, although the impacts from the dry weather remain as farmers continue their harvest.

The National Farmers Union noted how water shortages have impacted the growing season this year.

NFU Vice-President, Rachel Hallos said:

British farmers and growers continue to face extremely dry conditions, with harvest underway and crop yields proving mixed across the country. Some farms are reporting a significant drop in yields, which is financially devasting for the farm business and could have impacts for the UK’s overall harvest.

Farming is a long-term industry and there is growing concern about the months ahead. Minimal grass growth means many livestock farmers are already tapping into winter feed stocks, raising the risk of higher production costs later in the year.

Access to clean, reliable water is essential for food production. What’s worked well during this drought has been early, coordinated communication with stakeholders around licence restrictions and drought permits and orders and it’s crucial this continues.

To avoid the swing between extreme drought and flooding and to secure water supplies for food production, we urgently need investment in water infrastructure and a more effective planning system.

Periods of dry weather and low rivers reduce oxygen levels in water that can lead to fish kills and more algal blooms. Lower river flows also prevent wildlife from moving up or downstream.

Drying out wetlands can be devastating for species that depend on those habits while England has seen an increase in wildfires, devastating vulnerable areas of heathland and moorland.

The Met Office updated the group on the future weather outlook, noting drier weather has returned.

Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, Dr Will Lang said:

This week is starting off warmer than of late across England and Wales with temperatures getting towards the mid-30s Celsius for some in the south.

While conditions remain mostly settled across the south, the picture is more unsettled further northwest, with rain or showers at times.

As we move into the second half of August, there are indications of high pressure building and therefore largely settled conditions overall. Although dry weather is more likely, rain, showers or thunderstorms cannot be ruled out.

The heat and climate change also impact human health, through issues such as heatstroke, dehydration, and respiratory problems.

Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, have also briefed Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, about the situation.

Speaking after attending the meeting, Water Minister Emma Hardy said:

Working with the National Drought Group, the Government is urgently stepping up its response to ensure we are successfully managing the impacts of ongoing dry weather.

Water companies must now take action to follow their drought plans – I will hold them to account if they delay.

We face a growing water shortage in the next decade. That’s why we are pushing ahead with root and branch reform under our Plan for Change, which includes £104 billion of private investment to build nine reservoirs and new pipes to cut leaks.

CURRENT SITUATION

• Drought has been declared in: Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire, Greater Manchester Merseyside and Cheshire, East Midlands, and the West Midlands.
• Areas in prolonged dry weather (the phase before drought) are: Northeast, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, East Anglia, Thames, Wessex, Solent and South Downs.
• The remaining areas are normal: Hertfordshire, London, Kent, Devon and Cornwall.
• Yorkshire Water has a Temporary Usage Ban (TUB aka hosepipe ban) in place for all its customers.
• Thames, South East Water, and Southern Water have postcode-specific bans.
• Reservoirs fell by 2% last week and are now 67.7% full on average across England. The average for the first week of August is 80.5%. Last month, the average was 75.6%
• The lowest reservoirs are Blithfield (49.1%), Derwent Valley (47.2%), Chew Valley Lake (48.3%), Blagdon (46.3%).
• Rainfall in July was 89% of long-term average for the month across England. This is the sixth consecutive month of below average rainfall.
• Across the country, 51% of river flows were normal with the rest below normal, notably low or exceptionally low.
• Two rivers – Wye and Ely Ouse – were the lowest on record for July
• There are currently navigation closures or restrictions across sections of the Leeds and Liverpool, Macclesfield, Trent and Mersey, Peak Forest, Rochdale, Oxford and Grand Union Canal.
• More information here Dry weather and drought in England: 25 to 31 July 2025 – GOV.UK

ACTIONS BY NATIONAL DROUGHT GROUP MEMBERS

• The UK Health Security Agency is working with the National Drought Group to update its public health impacts of drought guidance
• Water companies are communicating with customers about current risks and advising them how to use water wisely during this dry period.
• Water companies have stepped up action on leakage, with leaks down 41% compared to the level in 1989 when the industry was privatised.
• Over £700 million has been committed by water companies to tackle leaks over the next five years.
• Water companies have committed to reducing leakage by 50% from a 2017-18 baseline by 2050.
• Yorkshire Water reported that repairs of leaks identified by smart meters had saved 1.5 million litres per day.
• Yorkshire Water is fixing over 800 leaks per week.
• Dwr Cymru Welsh Water is fixing over 700 leaks per week.
• Over 500,000 customers with Anglian Water have had leaks identified via their smart meters. This helped the firm reduce leaks by a total of 187 million litres a day, equivalent to 75 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
• Anglian Water’s satellite technology has also helped prioritise leak detection, saving over 320,000 litres of water a day in rural areas, enough to supply 1,000 homes.
• Southern Water has 24,000 acoustic sensors attached to the 15,500km of their water network to help detect leaks.
• In the last 12 months, Southern Water have reduced leaks by almost 20%, saving 138.7 million litres per day.
• Severn Trent has handed out 700 x 1,100 litre bowsers to farmers and several to the West Midlands Safari Park so livestock and animals have water.
• Water-saving messaging has helped reduce demand in the Severn Trent area by 20%, compared to the peak on 11th July.
• United Utilities are repairing more than 800 leaks a week and have seen a 200% increase in reports of leaks from customers.
• United Utilities is offering free home water audits in some areas, with more than 3,700 booked in.
• Thames Water has installed over one million smart meters, which are critical in helping locate leaks.
• Since June, Thames Water has fixed over 1,000 leaks in the region impacted by the hosepipe ban.

DROUGHT AND THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

• The Environment Agency continues to work with Government, including Defra and the Cabinet Office, on the drought response.
• The Environment Agency has escalated its operational response and diverted resources to ensure a rapid and nationwide response.
• It is conducting more compliance checks on businesses who abstract water to ensure regulations are met.
• It is actively engaging with water companies on requests for drought permits and drought orders and ensuring they follow their drought plans.
• There is increased monitoring of river and groundwater level and more modelling of rainfall patterns to inform decisions, including additional restrictions.
• The Environment Agency is working closely with farmers in East Anglia, requesting voluntary reductions on surface water abstraction. This will help conserve and extend the total period when water is available for abstraction, protect the environment and delay the need for any formal restrictions.
• The regulator has sped up the process of alerting abstractors about restrictions.  Manage your water abstraction licence online – GOV.UK.
• The EA is managing potential navigation issues caused by low flows on the Rivers Thames, Lark and Great Ouse.

HOW TO SAVE WATER AT HOME

• Install a rain butt to collect rainwater to use in the garden.
• Fix a leaking toilet – leaky loos can waste 200-400 litres a day.
• Use water from the kitchen to water your plants.
• Avoid watering your lawn – brown grass will grow back healthy.
• Turn off the taps when brushing teeth or shaving.
• Take shorter showers.
• Delete old emails and pictures as data centres require vast amounts of water to cool their systems.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 12 August 2025.

Bill for recycling waste electricals to shift towards online marketplaces to create a level playing field for UK retailers.

Online marketplaces will now help cover the costs of cleaning up waste electricals, like washing machines, radios and vacuum cleaners, from our homes and streets, Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh announced today (Tuesday 12 August), as new regulations ensuring a level playing field for UK retailers come into force to make the system fairer.

Before now, UK-based firms covered the costs for the collection and processing of electrical waste, which placed them at a disadvantage compared to their online rivals based abroad.

In collaboration with online marketplaces, from today a new system will ensure they help pay for dealing with broken electrical items, such as broken radios to battered fridges – ensuring this harmful waste is collected and recycled, rather than fly-tipped by individuals into the natural environment. The changes will for the first time ensure the country’s manufacturers and importers do not unduly bear the cost burden of managing waste they did not create – making the system fairer for British businesses.

Electrical waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world. Industry estimates by Material Focus found more than 100,000 tonnes of electricals, like irons and microwaves, are binned across the UK every year.

Bringing the rules for online marketplaces into force helps deliver on the government’s Plan for Change to end the nation’s throwaway culture and stop the avalanche of waste filling our high streets, countryside and oceans.

The funds generated will also improve the collection and treatment of waste items collected by local authorities and returned to retailers, helping to move the nation towards a more circular economy and ensure there is increased investment in critical recycling infrastructure and green jobs to deliver growth.

The government has engaged extensively with online marketplaces and retailers throughout this process and look forward to a new system which is fairer for all.

Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said:

We are committed to moving towards a circular economy in which we keep electricals from laptops to toasters in use for longer.

Ensuring online marketplaces pay their share for managing the cost of the electrical waste they generate will increase recycling and level the playing field for UK-based retailers, boosting growth and making the system fairer through our Plan for Change.

Paula Coughlan, Chief People, Communications & Sustainability Officer at Currys said:

We welcome this positive change that helps create a more level playing field for UK retailers. It is important that the responsibility to safely dispose of electronic waste is shared fairly, and we’re pleased the Government has listened to us and other industry leaders. It’s an encouraging step, and we look forward to the Government’s broader Circular Economy Strategy.

Currys is already leading the way in giving tech longer life, through initiatives like Cash for Trash, and we have ambitious ideas to take this further through close collaboration with industry and Government. As well as making online marketplaces pay for the waste they create, we should be going further to set stretch targets and incentivise investment in cleaning it up too. We believe with the right skills and infrastructure in place, the UK can build a thriving circular economy – enabling lasting and sustainable change.

John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager at Amazon, said:

We welcome the Government’s focus in this critical area and look forward to continuing our work with the Circular Economy Taskforce to drive further innovation, supporting the UK’s transition to a more circular economy. We believe retailers have an important role to play in reducing waste, which is why we prioritise reselling, refurbishing, donating or recycling products wherever possible.

Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus, said:

We welcome the new vape category announced today, which provides a further opportunity to tighten up the environmental enforcement of vapes. By understanding how many vapes are being sold, Defra can set targets to ensure that vape producers make their fair contribution to the costs of recycling these products.

Clarifying that online marketplaces for electricals must now meet producer responsibilities for their non-UK based sellers is also welcome. This means that they will take their share of the costs of recycling electrical products at the end of their life.  This will also mean that the rise in FastTech, the ultra-cheap, small electrical items, which are surging onto the market will be captured, as the majority of their sales are through online channels.

Under the new rules, online marketplaces will need to register with the Environment Agency and report data on sales made by their overseas sellers in the UK. This data will be used to calculate the amount of recycling companies must finance annually.

Alongside the additional requirements for online marketplaces, a new category of electrical equipment for vapes has been introduced to ensure the costs of their collection and treatment fall fairly on those who produce them.

Vapes contain valuable and critical materials such as lithium and copper and industry research from Material Focus suggests the number thrown away each year could instead power more than 10,000 electric vehicles.

With wasteful single-use vapes disappearing from the shelves of the nation’s shops as a ban on sale and supply came into effect on 1 June, the government is now taking decisive action to ensure vape producers pay their fair share to manage the waste arising from reusable products.

The government is committed to moving towards a circular economy in which electricals are kept in use for longer and less waste goes to landfill. A Circular Economy Taskforce of experts has been convened to help develop a Circular Economy Strategy for England, as part of which there will be a roadmap to increase the reuse and recycling of electrical equipment.

Material Focus’s ‘Recycle Your Electricals’ campaign provides a postcode locator tool on its website to help people find local recycling points for their old electrical items, making it easier for everyone to recycle anything with a plug, battery, or cable.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 4 August 2025.

Twelve businesses across England and Northern Ireland secure access to Mexico’s rapidly expanding market.

From chile verde to tacos de buche, British pork is set to be served up on Mexican tables following the UK’s successful bid to secure long-term access to this lucrative market.

Twelve businesses across England and Northern Ireland have secured approval to export quality British products, including favourites such pork chops, to Mexico’s rapidly expanding market, with the UK securing new access specifically for Northern Irish exporters through dedicated negotiations with Mexico.

British pork stands out globally for its exceptional quality and strong welfare standards, positioning British pig farmers perfectly to supply premium pork products that meet growing Mexican consumer demand.

The businesses will also now be able to export offal and edible by-products, bringing British pig farmers a return on parts that are less popular in the UK but which Mexican consumers relish as part of classical buche meat dishes. Sustaining and growing the export market is essential for optimising the full value of British pig carcasses, which in turn helps strengthen prices for UK farmers at the farm gate.

With consumption in Mexico’s pork market growing by 5.4% annually between 2019 and 2024, industry estimates expect the deal to bring in £19m over the first five years, delivering on the government’s commitment to kickstart economic growth and put more money into working people’s pockets under the Plan for Change.

Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner said:

British pork is renowned for its exceptional quality and high welfare standards, so it’s no surprise to see global demand continuing to grow.

This is a tremendous win for our pork producers and builds on our recent success in resuming exports to China. It demonstrates this government’s unwavering commitment to securing better trade deals for British farmers and food producers and will boost their incomes as part of our Plan for Change.

Exports Minister Gareth Thomas said:

British pork is the best in the world and this £20 million export win will boost farming and rural communities across the nation.

The removal of yet another trade barrier is testament to our Trade Strategy which focusses on quick deals that deliver faster benefits to UK businesses and shows how this government is boosting exports as part of our Plan for Change while upholding our world-leading food standards.

Jonathan Eckley, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) International Trade development Director, said:

Access and broadening the scope of our pig meat exports to the significant Mexican market is very welcome news and a testament to our levy payers’ work in providing world class products, produced to the highest standards.

This successful outcome follows eight years of negotiations between Mexican and UK authorities led by Defra, including Food Standards Agency, DAERA and industry partnerships with valuable support from the Department for Business and Trade and the FCDO.

Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Andrew Muir, said:

I am delighted that Mexico has granted approval for Northern Ireland to export pork to its markets.

This is testament to the exceptional standards we have in place here in Northern Ireland to produce high quality meat at an international level and demonstrates our commitment to supporting our important agri-food industry. Working together with industry, government and key stakeholders was essential to reach this agreement.

The deal will also pave the way for future opportunities for British exporters, with 20% tariffs on pork set to disappear once Mexico ratifies the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), making quality British produce even more competitive in this growing market.

The news follows the launch of the government’s Trade Strategy, with a focus on practical deals that deliver faster benefits to UK businesses and builds on a string of recent successes for British farmers and producers abroad, with the government securing access to the US market for UK beetroot growers and slashing red tape to end China’s Covid-era restrictions on UK unprocessed pork exports.

Defra will continue to work closely with UK pork producers and traders, as well as relevant industry bodies, to ensure the smooth export of their goods to Mexico.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The 12 sites include:

• Cranswick Country Foods PLC – Hull, Watton and Ballymena
• Pilgrim’s Pride Ltd – Spalding and Westerleigh, Bristol
• Thermotraffic Ltd – Wrexham
• Magnavale Chesterfield Ltd –    Chesterfield
• ABP Cold Store – Hull
• Americold Spalding Ltd – Spalding
• Turners (Soham) Ltd – Suffolk
• Karro Food Group – Cookstown
• Interfrigo Ltd – Antrim

FURTHER QUOTES

Anjali Juneja, Director of International Affairs at the FSA said:

“We’re pleased that British pork is in demand, this news provides a welcome boost to the industry and a recognition of how high food safety standards help underpin confidence in British meat, and support exports.”

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 1 August 2025.

Government completes substantial investment in the future of farming as fairer approach to funding means more farmers than ever set to benefit from capital grants offer than in previous years.

Thousands of farmers will benefit from £150 million from Capital Grants funding supporting sustainable food production and environmental improvement.

With over 8,000 applications now submitted in under 5 weeks this is the fastest uptake ever for the offer and shows a clear appetite from the sector to transition towards nature-friendly farming.

Having funding thresholds in place for this round means more farmers have been able to access help to support their efforts to deliver for nature than in previous years, ensuring that every single penny of funding gets into farmers’ pockets.

Grants for reducing farming’s impact on water quality have proved to be the most popular, including upgrades to yard proofing to reduce agricultural runoff and fencing to keep livestock out of water courses.

The government is committed to supporting farming to reduce their impact on waterways, and these grants will help farmers to produce food in a way that is more sensitive to river catchments with reduced water pollution.

Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner said:

I am delighted to see such strong demand in our Capital Grants offer, and strong momentum behind nature-friendly farming.

We know that for farm businesses to thrive, they need to be profitable, and we will ensure that every penny of the budget reaches farmers as part of the government’s Plan For Change.

Elsewhere, this round of funding will help support on farm efforts to enhance biodiversity with grants for hedgerow planting and laying, creating and restoring important habitats for wildlife. Grants will also promote sustainable farming practices by funding practical environmental improvements, such as planting shelterbelts to improve air quality, that benefit both nature and long-term farm resilience.

As part of a new approach to communicating with the sector Defra has published updates for farmers and land managers when key milestones for uptake were reached, including at 50%, and 75% and advised that the fund would close as soon as all funding was allocated.

Applicants whose application has been approved, will receive their money once the work has concluded and they have submitted claim for payment.

This government is committed to environmental land management schemes and believe these are the best tools to support the farming sector’s transition to sustainable food production and profitability.

Over the next 4 years, funding for Environmental Land Management schemes, paid directly to farmers, will increase 150% from £800 million in 2023/24 to £2 billion by 2028/29.

Shortly the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme will open for applications in September to those who have been invited to apply and there will be an update on the Sustainable Farming Incentive reformed offer.

A record £11.8 billion for sustainable farming and food production is being invested over this parliament. Alongside farming schemes, the government are slashing costs and red tape for food producers to export to the EU, have appointed former NFU president Baroness Minette Batters to recommend reforms to boost farmers’ profits, and we’re ensuring farmers get a bigger share of food contracts across our schools, hospitals, and prisons.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 25 July 2025.

Three new appointments and two reappointments made.

Dame Dervilla Mitchell, Dr Fiona Pathiraja and Sarah Greasley have been appointed as Trustees. Dervilla and Fiona’s four-year terms commenced on 1 July 2025. Sarah’s four-year term will commence on 1 October 2025.

Steve Almond and Kate Priestman have been reappointed as Trustees for a second term of four years from 2 October 2025 to 1 October 2029.

These appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

Biographies

Dame Dervilla Mitchell

Dervilla is an experience engineering leader who has been involved in significant infrastructure programmes at Heathrow, Dublin and Abu Dhabi airports. She has also led the design of a range of new build and renovation projects in different sectors. She spent the majority of her career at Arup, a trust-owned organisation, latterly serving as Global Deputy Chair and Ethics Director.

She became involved in the decarbonisation agenda whilst a member of the Council for Science and Technology and subsequently took on the role of Chair of the National Engineering Policy Centre’s decarbonisation working group. Her non-executive experience has been gained through Trustee roles as Vice President of the Royal Academy of Engineering and serving as a school governor at three different girls’ schools in London.

She was awarded a DBE for Services to Engineering in 2024, having previously received a CBE in 2014. She has received Honorary Doctorates from University College Dublin, as well as Imperial College London, where she now sits on the Industry Advisory Board for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Dr Fiona Pathiraja

Fiona is an investor and philanthropist. She is Managing Partner of Crista Galli Ventures, a pan-European healthtech venture capital firm. She serves on several boards and is currently a trustee of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Arts. Fiona leads philanthropic endeavours at IPQ Capital, her Family Office, and is vice-chair of London Business School’s fundraising board.

A former NHS consultant radiologist at University College London Hospital, Fiona has held a range of strategic and leadership roles across healthcare, including Clinical Advisor to the Department of Health and Social Care. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists, a Member of the Faculty of Public Health, and holds Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Health degrees. Fiona is an advocate for greater diversity in technology and investment.

Sarah Greasley

Sarah is an accomplished technology leader with more than 40 years’ expertise working in both the technology and financial services industries. She was Solutions Architecture Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Amazon Web Services, and prior to that, she was Group Chief Technology Officer at Direct Line Group and a Distinguished Engineer at IBM. She has a broad range of leadership experience across new technologies, strategy, risk and resilience. She also has a strong focus on increasing diversity, equity and inclusion.

She has a degree in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge and is a Chartered Fellow of the British Computing Society, as well as a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology. Sarah is a Trustee of the British Exploring Society and a Governor at Charterhouse School.

Steve Almond

After obtaining a BA in History at Royal Holloway College, University of London, Steve trained as a Chartered Accountant at Deloitte and spent much of his career there as an Audit Partner specialising in the financial services industry. He worked in a variety of roles for 16 years on the Deloitte UK Executive and, concurrently, eight years on the Global Executive. He has a wealth of experience advising large company boards and audit committees and served for 10 years on the board of Deloitte UK. In 2011, he was elected Chairman of Deloitte’s Global Board. In that capacity, he represented Deloitte on various external bodies, including the Accounting for Sustainability Advisory Board; International Integrated Reporting Council; Social Progress Index Advisory Board; and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Kate Priestman

Kate has worked in the biopharma industry for over 25 years and is currently Chief Corporate and External Affairs Officer at CSL. Before joining CSL, Kate served as Senior Vice-President of R&D Strategy and Portfolio at GlaxoSmithKline, focused on the development of transformational medicines and vaccines. Kate also serves as a Non-Executive Director at Oxford Nanopore Technologies PLC. Kate’s career has spanned roles in commercial, corporate governance, communications and government affairs, following an early career at the BBC as a presenter and documentary maker. In her spare time, Kate is an artist and creator of a popular design blog; her work inspired an installation in the Chicago Botanic Garden in 2016 and is used in schools as part of the creative arts curriculum.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 24 July 2025.

Flood warning service expanded to provide early warning of flooding to communities in Cheadle, Stockport and Platt Bridge. Residents can register for free.

The Environment Agency has expanded its flood warning service across Cheadle, Stockport and the Platt Bridge area of Wigan to ensure more people than ever across Greater Manchester are warned about any imminent risk of flooding.

The new flood warnings cover almost 800 homes and businesses and will see a warning message issued when flooding is forecast and then again to warn users if impacts are likely.

Flood warnings tell people about the risk of flooding to their home or business, and help people make informed decisions about how to respond. There are three types of warning – Flood Alert, Flood Warning and Severe Flood Warning.

Residents can register for the new service for free and choose to receive notifications via phone call (voice recording), text or email and by fully registering, people can also sign up to receive warnings for multiple locations.

Improving the Service

The new flood warning areas have been added as part a result of new modelling and data – part of the Environment Agency’s drive to continually improve the flood warning service it provides across the country.

Several of the new locations to receive flood warnings were places that flooded over the New Year period.

Laila Berry, Flood Resilience Team Leader at the Environment Agency, said:

We know all too well the devastating impact that flooding can have, which is why protecting people and communities is our top priority.

Our staff use the latest technology to monitor rainfall, river and tide levels 24 hours a day to forecast flooding.

The extension of our flood warning service will allow even more people across Stockport, Cheadle and Wigan to take action and stay safe if flooding is likely to occur.

“We would encourage all of those people in new flood warning areas to fully register their preferred details via Gov UK or Floodline for free, for both their safety and peace of mind.”

Be Prepared for Flooding

Householders are encouraged to prepare if they receive a Flood Alert which could mean packing a bag that includes medicines, insurance documents and anything else they wouldn’t want to lose if flooding were to take place.

A Flood Warning calls on people to act now which means turning off gas, water and electricity and moving family and pets to safety. A Severe Flood Warning means you are in immediate danger and should follow advice from the emergency services.

The accuracy of flood warnings improves over time as the Environment Agency gather more data and get a better understanding of how the river reacts to heavy rainfall. In the short term in new flood warning areas, there may be a higher than normal occurrence of false alarms, due to them always being issued on the side of caution.

There are over 1.6 million users registered to receive flood warnings at the touch of a button across the country. These flood warnings are generated from river level data which is collected via an extensive monitoring network across England.

The data is combined with weather forecasts, river models and other information to produce location specific flood forecasts.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 24 July 2025.

Call for holidaymakers to follow rules introduced to help protect farmers from Foot and Mouth.

UK holidaymakers heading to Europe this summer are being urged to help protect British farmers from Foot and Mouth disease by not bringing back meat and dairy products

Europe has seen a wave of cases impacting Hungary, Austria and Germany, and the UK Chief Vet is today (July 24th) urging the British public to comply with the rules, so we avoid a devastating outbreak like the one that was experienced in 2001.

Foot and Mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease that can, in some cases, kill cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals. It can be carried in animal products – including meat, dairy products and some processed food. The virus can remain viable for months and can rapidly spread through contaminated objects and the movement of people.

It is illegal for travellers entering GB to bring with them untreated meat or dairy products including lamb, pork, mutton, venison and goat meat, and all other products made from these meats or containing them – such as sandwiches and sausages – from the EU, regardless of whether they are packed, packaged or have been bought at duty free.

This includes products such as cheese, chorizo, salami, serrano ham, pâté, yoghurt, butter, milk, and sandwiches containing any of the banned meats.

These strict rules were introduced due to the toll Foot and Mouth can have on the farming industry . An outbreak could result in the culling of large numbers of the country’s livestock and cost the UK economy billions of pounds in production shortfalls, lost trade and disease control. The outbreak in GB in 2001 is estimated to have cost £15 billion (in current prices) in disease control costs alone.

Biosecurity Minister, Baroness Hayman, said:

Maintaining the integrity of our biosecurity against Foot and Mouth Disease is essential, and this updated control strategy reflects our strengthened approach to managing that risk. It reflects our clear determination to safeguard our borders.

We are asking the public to take this seriously. Do not bring prohibited animal or plant products into the country—doing so puts farmers livelihoods at risk.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

Foot and Mouth disease has been recently circulating on the continent. The disease presents a significant risk to Britain’s food security and economy.

This highly contagious disease causes considerable suffering to livestock and has a devastating economic and personal impact on farmers, who lose their prized animals.  I know it is disappointing not to be able to bring back produce from your holidays, but please avoid temptation – you will be doing your bit to help protect our hard-working farmers.

To further strengthen the country’s response to foot and mouth disease, the Government has today updated the Foot and Mouth Control Strategy for GB which will support the UK’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to an outbreak, protecting the livestock industry and rural economy. This is the first update in over a decade. This comes ahead of an exercise later this year to test Government preparedness. The updated framework provides information to help farmers protect their business and outlines how government will respond effectively to outbreaks.

Last month, the Government announced £1bn funding for a new investment programme to build a new National Biosecurity Centre – a cutting-edge scientific campus in Surrey that will serve as the UKs foremost animal biosecurity facility. This will better protect the public and farmers from animal disease by enhancing the country’s detection, surveillance and control capabilities for high-risk animal diseases, such as avian influenza, foot and mouth disease, and African swine fever, and enhance our ability to manage concurrent disease outbreaks.

Foot and mouth disease is a notifiable disease and must be reported. If you suspect foot and mouth disease in your animals, you must report it immediately by calling:

• • 03000 200 301 in England
  • 0300 303 8268 in Wales

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

Environment Agency publishes results of National Waste Crime Survey 2025, showing almost three quarters of all waste crimes go unreported.

Landowners and farmers are being urged to help the Environment Agency stop waste crime as new research shows only 12% reported the most recent incidents which affected them.

The findings were revealed today (Wednesday 23 July) in the results of the Environment Agency’s National Waste Crime Survey 2025, which also show more than half (57%) of landowners and farmers are estimated to have been affected by waste crime.

Networks of organised criminal groups operating across the country are targeting privately owned property and land, particularly in rural locations, to dump rubbish collected through illegal means. The waste industry, landowners and farmers who took part in the survey estimate 35% of waste crime is committed by organised crime groups, attracted by financial gains.

Last year, three men were convicted following a major investigation led by the Environment Agency into large-scale illegal deposits of more than 26,000 tonnes of waste – the equivalent weight of around 2,170 double-decker buses – at 17 sites across the country. Organised criminal gang members approached waste facilities and offered to dispose of baled waste at reduced costs, which they later abandoned.

The Environment Agency is determined to stop waste crime, protect the environment, and pursue criminals. It’s essential to know when and where these offences are happening – and the survey shows only just more than a quarter (27%) of all waste crimes are reported.

To ensure it has the best possible information to identify and stop the culprits, the Environment Agency is appealing to landowners and farmers to report every incident to its 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60. Reports of any known or suspected illegal waste activity can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.

Steve Molyneux, Environment Agency Deputy Director for Waste & Resources Regulation, said:

Waste criminals’ toxic crimes cause widespread and significant harm to people, places and the economy. The Environment Agency is determined to use all our powers and resources to stop waste criminals, but we cannot achieve this alone.

Our survey shows almost three quarters of waste offences go unreported, so we urge industry and the public to help us stop waste criminals faster by sharing what they know about the people carrying out these heinous crimes.

Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said:

Through our Plan for Change, this government will crack down on the waste cowboys, seize and crush fly-tippers’ vans, and clean up Britain.

With the shocking scale of this challenge revealed today, we are tightening the net on the organised crime groups who exploit our broken waste system.

We will not stand and watch while our countryside is polluted by criminals who undercut decent businesses.

Sam Corp, Head of Regulation at the Environmental Services Association, said:

With more than half of British landowners now reporting that they have fallen victim to the illegal dumping of waste, the survey findings are further evidence of the waste crime epidemic facing the UK, much of which is perpetrated by organised crime groups.

It is essential that we all exercise our duty of care to ensure waste does not fall into criminal hands and that, across society, we report all waste crime when we see it to help the authorities identify and stop the culprits.

Dan Cooke, Director of Policy, Communications & External Affairs at CIWM, said:

Waste crime causes misery and anxiety to communities wherever it occurs. It also damages local economies and undermines the professional recycling, resources and waste sector.

These latest National Waste Crime Survey figures show the extent of the challenge we face and the need for renewed focus and action. We can all do something to tackle waste crime and to bring those responsible to account.

CIWM encourages everyone to report suspicious activity or any incidents involving the illegal tipping of waste materials – wherever and whenever you see it. By reporting it to your local authorities or to the Environment Agency, you’re increasing the chance of prosecution and of swift action to maintain the quality of local environments on which our economy depends.

Conducted in February, the survey is used to help better understand the nature and scale of waste crime, as perceived by those experiencing it, including landowners, farmers and the waste industry.

The survey’s results show waste criminals are active across the country, with respondents estimating 20% of all waste produced may be illegally managed at some point in the supply chain – enough to fill Wembley Stadium 35 times.

Waste industry respondents who had suffered waste crime reported incurring significant costs, with 52% experiencing losses exceeding £50,000 due to illegal waste sites, 44% from illegal waste exports, and 32% from large-scale fly-tipping.

Under their Plan for Change, the government has confirmed rogue operators caught transporting and dealing with waste illegally will face up to five years in prison under new legislation. This will act as a strong deterrent and ensure the full force of the law comes down hard on those trashing the nation’s communities.

The Environment Agency fully supports legitimate operators and is working hard in collaboration with other partners to stop illegal waste management. In one recent successful prosecution, a former teacher who filled two quarries in Hertfordshire with enough illegal waste to fill the Royal Albert Hall nearly three times over was ordered to pay almost £79,000 following an Environment Agency investigation.

And, in another prosecution brought by the Environment Agency, a County Durham man was jailed for 44 weeks in February for operating an illegal waste site without an environmental permit.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 22 July 2025.

New plans to address the presence of chemicals from flea and tick treatments in rivers and streams across the UK have been unveiled today.

The initiative by the Cross-Government Pharmaceuticals in the Environment (PiE) Group focuses primarily on two chemicals – fipronil and imidacloprid – commonly used in topical parasite treatments for pets. These medicines play an essential role in protecting both animal and human health against fleas and ticks, however there are growing concerns around the amount of fipronil and imidacloprid finding its way into UK rivers and lakes .

The new roadmap outlines key actions to reduce levels of flea and tick treatments in the environment while protecting animal welfare – which includes commissioning research to better understand this issue and using this evidence to support an international review of environmental risk assessment guidelines . The three key stages of the roadmap are:

• Communication and Education (Short Term):
  The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) will collaborate with veterinary professionals and industry stakeholders to improve pet owner awareness about the appropriate use and disposal of flea and tick treatments.
• Evidence Gathering (Medium Term):
  The group will build a comprehensive understanding of the environmental impacts of these chemicals, alongside evaluating potential consequences of changing use patterns on animal and human health. The VMD has commissioned scientific research investigating how these substances enter rivers and streams and is working closely with the Environment Agency to assess the environmental risks they pose.
• Regulatory Actions (Long Term):
  Based on the evidence collected, the PiE Group will support a review of international environmental risk assessment guidelines and consider future regulatory approaches to mitigate environmental risks.

Defra Biosecurity Minister, Baroness Hayman said:

This Government is absolutely committed to restoring nature and reducing harms posed by chemicals in the environment.

Our new Roadmap will develop a better understanding of the impact of flea and tick treatments on the environment, while recognising these treatments play a vital role in pet and human health.

Abigail Seager, Chief Executive Officer of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), said:

This roadmap represents an important step forward in ensuring that the benefits of effective parasite control are maintained while taking necessary actions to reduce environmental risks.

It reflects our commitment to an evidence-based approach, working closely with partners across government to protect both animal health and the environment.

Kelly Short, Environment Agency Chemicals Manager said:

The launch of this roadmap is an important step in tackling the presence of harmful chemicals like fipronil and imidacloprid in our rivers and streams.

By improving public awareness, building the evidence base, and working together to assess environmental risks, we can take meaningful action to protect our water environment and the wildlife that depends on it.

The PiE Group brings together key government bodies, including the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), Environment Agency (EA), Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and representatives from devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

This collaborative initiative aims to develop a coordinated strategy to reduce the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals from human, veterinary, agricultural, and non-agricultural sources.