Tag: Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 January 2026.

Clearer pricing will help pet owners compare costs and shop around, saving families money.

Millions of pet owners and vet professionals across the country will benefit from major reforms to the veterinary sector – the first overhaul in sixty years.

The reforms help households understand what they are paying for, avoid unexpected costs and choose the best value care for their pets.

They come after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found problems in the veterinary market could be costing households up to £1 billion over five years. The CMA found that vet fees have risen at nearly twice the rate of inflation – which is why this government is taking action.

The proposals will make the system clearer, fairer and more transparent for owners – while supporting veterinary professionals alike.

Benefits for pet owners:

• Clearer prices easing the ability to look around: Vet practices will be required to publish price lists for common treatments, and be transparent about options and changes allowing pet owners to choose the best treatment for their animals. Knowing key prices beforehand helps owners to choose the best value.
• More competition to lower costs over time: Vet businesses must disclose who owns them so pet owners know if their local practice is part of a larger chain or independent. This knowledge and price transparency helps owners to decide which practice to use which increases competition and bring down costs over time.
• Greater confidence in care: Every vet practice will need an official operating licence – similar to GP surgeries and care homes.
• Fairer treatment complaints process: Stronger rules on how veterinary businesses must operate with an easier and more effective route for customers to raise concerns along with more support offered to allow vets and vet nurses to carry out their roles successfully; benefitting animal health and welfare.
• Better access to quality care: New measures will bring veterinary nurses and certain allied veterinary professionals into regulation, freeing up veterinary surgeons to focus on more specialist care, improving access and reducing delays.

Benefits for veterinary professionals:

• Legal recognition for veterinary nurses to strengthen professional identity, helping improve job satisfaction and boosting retention rates. 
• Regulatory oversight of veterinary businesses, not just individual vets, so the responsibility for upholding standards is shared and clearer.
• Modernised processes for registration and “fitness to practice”, focusing on current competence rather than past mistakes. 
• A modern governance model for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), whose current structure has remained largely unchanged since 1966 and now lags behind other healthcare regulators. Proposals will reduce potential conflicts of interest and strengthen public and professional trust.

Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Hayman said:

“Pets are part of the family, and owners deserve clear information, fair treatment and confidence in the care their animals receive.

“We’re focused on making vet services work better for families by improving transparency, increasing choice and helping people make informed decisions, while continuing to support the professionals who care for our animals.”

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss said:

“Updating these rules will help build a modern veterinary service that is easier for the public to understand and navigate, while strengthening animal health outcomes and supporting a skilled, resilient workforce.

“Reforming the Veterinary Surgeons Act is a crucial step towards building a stronger, more resilient profession. This consultation gives pet owners and professionals the chance to help shape a system that works better for everyone.”

British Veterinary Association President Dr. Rob Williams MRCVS said: 

“Veterinary teams play a vital role in society, from caring for the nation’s animals and supporting our farmers and food production, through to assisting international trade, disease control and public health. If we’re to continue delivering this work effectively, we need reformed veterinary legislation, and those changes will impact how we go about all aspects of our work; it’s therefore imperative that colleagues engage with Defra’s proposals, ensure their voices are heard and grasp this opportunity to shape a veterinary sector that’s fit for the 21st century.” 

Martin Coleman, Chair of the CMA Inquiry Group said:

“We welcome the government’s consultation to update this vital regulation and protect pet owners. Our vets investigation is ongoing, but we have already set out our strong concern that the current rules are not fit for purpose and need reforming to keep pace with commercial practice and further build pet owner trust in veterinary businesses.”

Why change is needed:

60% of vet practices are owned by non-vets, with many operating under unclear ownership structures. The reforms propose a new licencing system requiring businesses to meet clear standards – with enforcement action, including potential loss of licence, where they fail to do so.

A modern disciplinary process will accompany the reforms, with a wider range of sanctions to ensure customer concerns are properly addressed and support veterinary professionals to safely carry out their roles. This will work to improve care whilst reducing punitive outcomes and will benefit both owners and professionals alike.

Veterinary professionals are essential to the UK’s high animal health and welfare standards. These reforms strengthen professional recognition, modernise outdated regulation and help safeguard the profession’s ability to continue to protect the UK from the threats to disease and food security. 

This announcement follows the publication of the Animal Welfare Strategy, and is part of this Government’s ambitious reforms to animal welfare – improving the lives of millions of animals across the UK. 

The consultation will run for 8 weeks.

Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: 

“For years, Which? has been exposing unclear pricing and poor practice in the vet industry so it’s good to see the government taking steps to modernise the sector and ensure it treats pet owners fairly. 

“The current regulation is decades out of date and oversight of veterinary businesses, not just individual vets, is urgently needed. The government needs to ensure that its new licensing system has the right sanctions in place for businesses which break the rules. 

“The government must ensure these changes are introduced as soon as possible to restore consumer confidence in the sector. As part of these reforms, it should also legislate to establish a mandatory Ombudsman scheme with the power to make binding judgements about customer complaints and take action against any vets or vet practices falling short.”

Additional information:

• The consultation can be accessed here: Consultation: Reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 – Defra – Citizen Space.

President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Professor Tim Parkin BVSc FRCVS said:

“We’re delighted to see the launch of this consultation and are very grateful to Defra’s veterinary policy team, and all stakeholders, for the hard work and close collaboration over the last year to get us to this point. This really is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for all of us to help shape the future of the veterinary professions and animal healthcare industry, and to introduce a modern regulatory framework that’s fit for purpose in the 21st century. At nearly 60 years old, the Veterinary Surgeons Act is in urgent need of reform – it’s time for change.” 

BVNA President Sarah Holliday commented: 

“At BVNA we are delighted that this consultation is now underway, representing an important step towards a potential reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act. BVNA has welcomed the opportunity to represent the veterinary nursing profession throughout the entirety of the sprint process, which has demonstrated meaningful and effective collaboration between each of our respective organisations. We thank the team at Defra for their sustained efforts in arriving at this stage, and we look forward to continuing to work together towards legislation which truly reflects the veterinary landscape of today and the future.”

Charlotte Beckett, interim Chief Veterinary Officer at the RSPCA, added:

“This is really positive news for the veterinary profession, pet owners and animal welfare.

“We know costs are a real concern for pet owners – and our Animal Kindness Index found more than half (52%) are worried about how to afford vet bills. That’s why clearer pricing is such an important step forward – bringing greater transparency to the sector, and helping current and future pet owners understand the potential financial implications of responsible pet ownership.

“These reforms can equip pet owners with knowledge and confidence to deal with health and welfare concerns their pets may have promptly – protecting animals and ensuring many welfare issues do not escalate.

“But we know these have been tough times for the veterinary profession too – so moves to modernise governance, legally recognise hardworking veterinary nurses, and provide better oversight are critical to a sector that does such vital work in communities across the country.

“We now look forward to working with the UK Government, and the veterinary profession, to help inform and contribute towards these vital reforms, and keep building a better world for every kind.”

Paul Manktelow, Veterinary Director at Blue Cross, said:

“We were delighted to welcome Baroness Hayman to our Blue Cross animal hospital in Victoria, London. We spoke with her about the work our veterinary team do, treating pets whose owners are amongst the most vulnerable in society and struggle with the cost of private vet fees.

“We highlighted the pressures on the sector and welcomed Defra’s review of the outdated Veterinary Service Act and recognition of the vital role veterinary nurses play.”

Karen Reed, Veterinary and Welfare Director at Dogs Trust, said:

“Dogs Trust welcomes the decision to consult on reforming the Veterinary Surgeons Act, which the professions have been long calling for.  We work closely with the veterinary professions and rely on their support so we particularly welcome the announcement to review the regulations governing RVNs and other allied professions.

“We recognise that clear information, transparent pricing and high professional standards are essential to protecting animal welfare. Pets are family members, and owners need confidence that they can make informed decisions about their care. Improving owner satisfaction while supporting veterinary professionals would be a positive step towards a system that works better for both animals and the people who care for them.”

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 January 2026.

Streamlined agriculture rules to cut duplication and make it easier for farmers to drive down water pollution.

New, clearer rules proposed today (Tuesday 27 January) will help to improve water quality, reduce pollution in our rivers and give farmers the confidence to grow food sustainably. 

41% of England’s rivers, lakes and streams are currently affected by agricultural pollution, and they will get stronger protection under new proposals to increase oversight on sewage sludge spreading. 

A consultation launched today proposes tighter controls on spreading sewage sludge on farmland, including options to bring it under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, to better protect human health and the environment from harmful contaminants. 

At the same time, existing agricultural water rules will be simplified, cutting unnecessary duplication and complexity and making it easier for farmers to understand and follow the rules. 

The measures form an important part of delivering the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan, reducing ammonia emissions from farming, and the Water White Paper – a major overhaul of how England’s water system is regulated and managed. 

Water Minister Emma Hardy and Farming Minister Angela Eagle set out the plans at a roundtable with key farming, water and environmental stakeholders today as part of the government’s plan to transform Britain’s water system. 

Water Minister Emma Hardy said:

By setting clearer guidelines and providing better support, we’re making it simpler for farmers to meet standards, farm sustainably and protect our environment.

Jennie Donovan, Environment Agency Director, Nature and Place, said:

We support government’s plans to strengthen the regulation of sludge use, with our  preferred option being to move it into Environmental Permitting Regulations. Our aim  is to ensure that sewage sludge can be recycled to agricultural land in a safe and  sustainable way.  

These proposed changes will reduce risks to human health and tighten  environmental protections. We will continue to work closely with the water industry,  farmers and partner organisations to support this regulatory reform.

The Government’s approach to working with the farming sector on water pollution is focused on advice and partnership. Already funding to double the number of advice-led inspections has been introduced, enabling at least 6,000 inspections a year by 2029. 

This simplified, clearer regulatory approach will sit alongside support through Environmental Land Management schemes, the Catchment Sensitive Farming advice programme and targeted infrastructure grants, helping farm businesses reduce pollution, protect water and strengthen their long‑term resilience. 

The changes build on last summer’s ministerial roundtable, where the government established the Addressing Pollution from Agriculture programme, working with farming and environmental stakeholders to drive reform of agricultural water regulations.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 26 January 2026.

The new Chair will continue to drive the Forestry Commission’s efforts to protect and expand England’s trees, woodlands and forests for future generations.

By Royal Warrant, His Majesty King Charles III has today (Monday 26 January) appointed Baroness Barbara Young of Old Scone as the new Chair of the Forestry Commission.

The announcement comes as Sir William Worsley’s tenure as Chair ends after six years in post. Baroness Young has been appointed for a four-year term, commencing on 10 February 2026.

The new Chair will bring extensive leadership experience across environmental protection, land management, regulation and public service to the role. Under her leadership, the Forestry Commission will continue its work to deliver a resilient and sustainable future for England’s trees, woodlands and forests.

Baroness Barbara Young of Old Scone said:

It will be a great privilege to join the Forestry Commission team at a time when the importance of trees, woods and forests for the economy, local communities, resilience and security, climate change, biodiversity, and human health and wellbeing is great and growing.

The Forestry Commission has a huge contribution to make and I look forward to helping take that forward.

Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh said:

Baroness Young brings a wealth of experience in environmental protection and land management to this vital role. She is therefore ideally placed to champion England’s trees, woodlands and forests, and I look forward to working with her to help restore our natural environment.

I’d also like to thank Sir William Worsley for his service and dedication throughout his tenure.

Richard Stanford, Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, said:

I’m pleased to welcome our new Chair, Baroness Barbara Young, who brings a wealth of experience from her distinguished background in the environmental sector. I’m excited to work with Barbara to deliver our strategy of helping to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges with thriving trees, woods and forests.

I would also like to acknowledge the fantastic contribution of our outgoing Chair, Sir William Worsley. William’s leadership has been instrumental in driving the growth of the Commission in recent years and building strong foundations for the future.

Sir William Worsley, outgoing Chair of the Forestry Commission, said:

It has been a great honour to serve as Chair of the Forestry Commission. Together with dedicated colleagues, we have strengthened the organisation and helped lay firm foundations for the future of our nation’s trees, woods and forests.

As I step down, I am delighted to welcome Baroness Young as the new Chair. Her deep experience and commitment to the environment will serve the Commission exceptionally well.

As Chair of the Woodland Trust from 2016 to 2024, Baroness Young led the organisation through a period of significant growth and impact, expanding woodland creation and the protection and restoration of ancient woodland across the UK.

This appointment has been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process, nor is a bar to appointment. Baroness Young has been a Labour Life Peer in the House of Lords since 1997 and has canvassed locally for the Labour Party.

Biography

• Barbara Young, Baroness Young of Old Scone, is one of the UK’s most experienced public service leaders, with a distinguished career as both chief executive and chair of large, complex public and not-for-profit organisations, many operating in regulated, competitive and commercial environments.
• She is currently Chair of the Labour Climate and Environment Forum, an independent organisation working with senior leaders across the Parliamentary Labour Party to strengthen climate and environmental ambition and coherence across the Labour movement. She has particular interests in agriculture, land use, trees, forestry, climate change and regulation.
• She has held numerous senior leadership roles, including Chair of English Nature (1998-2000), Vice Chair of the BBC (1998-2000), Chief Executive of the Environment Agency (2000-2008), Chair of the Care Quality Commission (2008-2009) and Chair of the Royal Veterinary College (2019-2025), She has also served as Chief Executive of Diabetes UK and as Chancellor of Cranfield University.
• She holds an MA (Honours) in Classics from the University of Edinburgh, is a Chartered Environmentalist, and has received numerous honorary degrees and fellowships in recognition of her contribution to public life, environmental protection and education.
• Headshot attached.

The Forestry Commission

• The Forestry Commission is the non-ministerial government department responsible for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woodlands.
• Established a century ago, the Forestry Commission works with two agencies: Forestry England, which manages the Public Forest Estate, and Forest Research, the principal organisation for forestry and tree-related research.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 13 January 2026.

New rules mandating classification and price reporting for sheep carcases come into force, bringing sector in line with beef and pork.

New regulations mandating classification and price reporting for sheep carcases in England come into force this week (Monday 12 January), bringing the sector in line with beef and pork and ensuring farmers are paid more fairly for their livestock at slaughter. 

The government has brought in the rules following extensive consultation with industry to establish a consistent and transparent system, giving producers clear information on how animals are assessed and priced at slaughter.  

By standardising classification, farmers can respond more effectively to market demand and better understand the characteristics that attract premium prices. Fairness within the agricultural supply chain is a key priority for the government and integral to food security. 

Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said:

British lamb is rightly recognised worldwide for its exceptional flavour and production standards – and supply chain fairness is vital to ensure farmers and processors are properly rewarded for the quality food they produce.  

By ensuring a fair and transparent sheep market, we’re backing British producers, strengthening our food security and supporting a resilient future for the sector.

Phil Stocker, CEO of the National Sheep Association, said:

I welcome the introduction of this new regulation on which Defra has worked closely with industry. It’s a helpful step to simplify and give more clarity to sheep farmers over deadweight price comparisons between processors. 

It also means that for all but the smallest abattoirs we will now see sheep carcass grading come under the control of the RPA, bringing us in line with cattle grading. 

Both these improvements further ambitions to create better transparency and trust through the supply chain. Farmers selling live through marts won’t be directly affected and we are in a better place with choices and greater transparency in how we choose to sell our lambs.

Similar regulations for Scottish slaughterhouses also take effect this week, with Wales and Northern Ireland to introduce equivalent measures in early 2026, creating a consistent UK-wide framework. 

The new rules complement the government’s wider work to protect farmers in trade deals, strengthen supply chain resilience, lower costs for consumers, and deliver a thriving, innovative food sector through the Good Food Cycle.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 13 January 2026.

Mary-Ann Ochota has been appointed as an Independent Chair of the Protected Landscapes Partnership.

The Protected Landscapes Partnership brings together the National Landscapes Association, National Parks England, National Trails UK, and Natural England to support England’s Protected Landscapes to have a greater impact on people, nature and climate.

The PLP chair will lead the strategic objectives of the Protected Landscapes Partnership with a focus on fostering innovative approaches to funding and delivering this government’s commitment for greener, wilder and more accessible Protected Landscapes. They will champion the goals of the Protected Landscape Partnership, amplifying Protected Landscapes’ voices and inspiring a wide range of stakeholders.

As Independent Chair, Mary-Ann will play a pivotal role in establishing a strong, sustainable future for the Partnership. She has been appointed for a one-year term, commencing on 13 January 2026.

Biography

• Mary-Ann is a broadcaster, anthropologist and specialist adviser to organisations working across nature, place and people. She passionately believes that environmental justice and social justice are two sides of the same coin.
• Mary-Ann is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Patron of the Ridgeway National Trail, a member of the hillwalking advisory group at the British Mountaineering Council and is currently President of CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England. She also currently serves on Natural England’s Landscape Advisory Panel.
• Mary-Ann has written three acclaimed books on British archaeology and regularly writes and presents TV and radio programmes in the UK and internationally on archaeology, the environment and nature, and the outdoors.
• She is involved in public campaigns to improve access to, and understanding of, the countryside. She works with a network of grassroots community groups, businesses, public sector and environmental NGOs, including All the Elements, a network of individuals and organisations working to diversify the outdoors.

The Protected Landscapes Partnership

• The Protected Landscapes Partnership is a forum for national collaboration between the partner organisations – the National Landscapes Association, National Parks England, National Trails UK, and Natural England. It also works closely with the National Parks Partnership to develop green finance opportunities and bring new investment to deliver large scale nature restoration projects. The Protected Landscapes Partnership is a hub for innovation and the development of ambitious projects; a place to learn, test new ideas, share knowledge and find peer support.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 12 January 2026.

Bids must be able to demonstrate they have the capacity, experience and knowledge to deliver a new national forest.

A new national forest in the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor has moved a step closer today (Monday 12 January) with the announcement that the search for official delivery partners has begun.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has opened an Expression of Interest process with interested parties needing to demonstrate they have the capacity, experience, and knowledge to deliver the outcomes required for a new national forest in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor – along with expertise in large-scale woodland creation, community engagement, and cross-sector partnerships.

The new national forest in the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor will be the second of three new national forests pledged in the government’s manifesto, following the Western Forest in the West of England.

These new national forests will help deliver national renewal for communities, driving economic growth while enhancing nature and bringing trees closer to where people live.

Millions of trees are expected to be planted in the years ahead as part of a wider commitment to allocate over £1 billion this parliament to tree planting and support to the forestry sector.

Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:

“This is a landmark moment in delivering our manifesto pledge to create three new national forests. This new forest in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor will bring millions of trees closer to where people live, supporting wildlife and creating green jobs for local people.

“I urge organisations with experience in large-scale woodland creation and community engagement to submit their Expressions of Interest.”

Interested parties are invited to submit Expressions of Interest in becoming a key delivery partner for this work in the region between 12 January and 30 January 2026. Satisfying the eligibility criteria will help Defra and strategic delivery partners the National Forest Company understand who is suitable and how the work should be delivered.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 12 January 2026.

New proposals to end the use of cages for laying hens and minimise pain during lamb castration and tail docking.

Laying hens and lambs will benefit from better animal welfare standards under detailed plans set out by the Government today (January 12th).

Under the proposals all colony cage systems across the laying hen sector would be phased out by 2032 including for smaller producers. Proposals for tighter restrictions on sheep mutilation practices such as castration and tail docking, which cause pain to lambs and are often carried out without pain relief, are also being consulted on. 

Enriched ‘colony’ cage eggs supply just over 20% of the UK shell egg production. These cages heavily restrict the movement of British laying hens with up to 80 birds are in each cage, with each bird having space that is no bigger than an A4 sheet of paper.

With the UK’s leading retailers, from Sainsbury’s to Aldi, already committed to not selling eggs produced from cage systems and widespread public support – the move announced today is in line with widespread best practice and public opinion.

To improve welfare for lambs, farmers will be expected to take steps to minimise pain when castration and tail docking has to be carried out. This could include through greater use of pain relief and consideration of alternative methods which farmers would get improved access to. This reflects the latest scientific evidence and follows expert advice from the independent Animal Welfare Committee.

Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said:

We are committed to improving the lives of farm animals and to supporting farmers to produce food sustainably, profitably and to the high standards consumers expect.

British consumers want high animal welfare standards and these measures reflect those values, creating healthier livestock and high welfare food production.

Anthony Field, Head of Compassion in World Farming UK said:

We warmly welcome the UK Government’s leadership in honouring a key commitment in its Animal Welfare Strategy by swiftly launching a consultation on phasing out the use of cages for laying hens. This marks an important and long-awaited step towards ending the cage age.

We are optimistic that this will be the first of many meaningful and lasting changes. Phasing out cages for the millions of hens kept behind bars every year cannot come soon enough, and we hope the outcome of this consultation will be an ambitious timeline for phasing out these cruel systems.

We also welcome the launch of a consultation to improve the welfare of lambs. Lambs are routinely subjected to painful, unnecessary mutilations. Castration and tail docking are usually carried out without anaesthetic or pain relief, causing great suffering, so this is an extremely encouraging move.

We look forward to seeing positive changes for millions of other farmed animals in the coming years and to working with Government to achieve this.

The proposals announced today are a significant first step toward advancing the ambitious animal welfare reforms set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, ensuring farm animals have greater freedom to express their natural behaviours and dignity.

The Animal Welfare Strategy builds on this Government’s strong track record of delivering reforms for animals, having already introduced world leading zoo standards, and supporting passage of the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025 and the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025.

We are committed to working with farmers on any changes as part of our commitment to ensuring a productive and sustainable farming sector.

The proposals will be subject to 8-week consultations, so any impacts on farmers and trade can be fully considered and managed. Both consultations will open today, and farmers, industry and animal welfare organisations are encouraged to share their views.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 8 January 2026.

Water companies legally required to produce pollution reduction plans for the first time, using detailed instructions published today.

Water companies must now publish annual pollution-cutting plans under tough new powers introduced by the government.

Pollution Incident Reduction Plans (PIRPs) were previously voluntary, with only some water companies electing to produce and deliver them. Through powers in the Water (Special Measures) Act, they will now be mandatory and must be made public, creating unprecedented transparency and accountability in the sector.

Failure to publish compliant plans – with the first batch due this April – will be a criminal offence for both companies and their chief executives.

Water Minister Emma Hardy said:

It is completely unacceptable that so much sewage is still entering our waterways, and it cannot continue.

This government is delivering a new era of accountability in the water sector. We’ve banned unfair bonuses for water bosses, introduced tough penalties for pollution and these mandatory plans are the latest step to hold water companies to account and tackle the root causes of pollution.

And we’re not stopping there. Our Water White Paper will set out long-term reforms to strengthen regulation, clean up our waterways, and drive infrastructure delivery.

The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales have today (8 January) published detailed guidance for companies on what to include in their plans and how they should be used to cut pollution.

The plans must set out the specific actions companies will take to cut their pollution, including through better monitoring, clearing blockages, and customer awareness campaigns. Companies have also been told to identify and explain the root causes of their pollution incidents, to ensure they are focused not just on short-term fixes but on long-term prevention.

From 2027, companies will also have to produce annual ‘Implementation Reports’ demonstrating their year‑on‑year progress to cut pollution incidents.

Environment Agency Water Director Helen Wakeham said:

Pollution incidents from water companies happen far too often and can have devastating consequences on the environment and communities.

We have been clear that every water company now needs to focus on delivery. These plans will ensure companies are taking actions to cut their pollution incidents and are publicly accountable for doing so.

Our guidance is designed to help companies plan and deliver results – and we will continue to challenge them if they fall short.

The Environment Agency’s latest ratings of water companies’ environmental performance were the lowest since 2011. In 2024 alone, there were 2,801 reported pollution incidents in England – 75 of which were classified as serious.

The new guidance comes ahead of the government’s Water White Paper which is expected to set out plans for longer-term reforms to strengthen regulation and tackle pollution – including through the creation of a new, single water regulator, and accelerate the delivery of vital infrastructure.

Notes to editors

• The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 requires all water and sewerage undertakers (as defined by the Water Industry Act 1991) to publish annual PIRPs from April 2026 and Implementation Reports from April 2027.
• For water companies, annual PIRPs will sit alongside statutory Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs). While DWMPs provide the 25‑year strategic plan and investment pathway, PIRPs and Implementation Reports should show shorter‑term, operational action on frequent causes of pollution. Together, they will support a more proactive approach to building more resilience in the water system and maintaining and improving asset health and performance.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 7 January 2026.

Environment Secretary announces plans at Oxford Farming Conference focusing more support on smaller farms and those without an existing agreement to drive growth, secure a thriving future for the sector, and deliver high quality, affordable food.

Our farmers are essential for the nation’s food security, the Environment Secretary will say, setting out a new era of partnership between government and farmers aimed at boosting profitability. 

Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference on Thursday 8 January, Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds will announce a package of measures to ensure the government works in partnership with farmers to drive growth, secure a thriving future for the sector, and deliver high quality, affordable food for British families.   

She will announce reforms to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), designed to simplify the scheme, level the playing field, and provide stable, predictable delivery.  

She will set out how there will be two application windows in 2026, with the first from June prioritising smaller farms and those without an existing agreement, followed by a second round from September for wider applications.

The government will continue working with the sector to refine these proposals and full scheme details will be published before the first application window opens. 

The Environment Secretary will also outline a new £30 million Farmer Collaboration Fund to support farmer groups in growing their businesses, building partnerships and sharing best practice. This will empower them to find new opportunities to grow their businesses, share what works, build partnerships, and drive the kind of change that comes from the ground up.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds is expected to say:  

Farmers are at the heart of our national life – for what you produce, the communities you sustain, and the landscapes and heritage you protect. 

British farming is also a key growth sector we’re backing for the long term. Farmers who want to build, to export and to invest in new technology.  

But too often, they’ve been held back by bureaucracy. We’re changing that to a system that backs our farmers.

The Secretary of State also set her vision to work in partnership with farmers:

We will work with you – through our new Farming and Food Partnership Board, through peer-to-peer networks, through community-led change, and through engagement on the detailed changes to SFI.   

You will have the certainty you need to plan – clear budgets, clear timelines, clear future roadmap, and growth built on strong foundations. 

That’s my commitment to you and it’s the foundation for the future we’re building together, to drive growth, secure a thriving future for the sector, and deliver high quality, affordable food for British families.

The Environment Secretary will also set out plans exploring a transformation of England’s uplands, recognising the unique challenges facing the rural communities that depend on them, from poor access to services to harsh farming conditions.  

Building on research led by social entrepreneur Dr Hilary Cottam in six upland areas during the past year, the government will work over the next two years – first in Dartmoor, then Cumbria – to deliver system-wide change, create farming clusters, explore new mutual funding models, and lay the foundations for new income streams, from nature-based enterprises to regenerative tourism and circular economy initiatives. 

In an additional boost for farmers in England’s most treasured rural areas, the government will extend the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme for three years, with £30 million in funding next year alone.  

Since its launch, the programme has supported more than 11,000 farmers across 44 protected landscapes in enhancing nature recovery, tackling climate change, and preserving cultural heritage, including the planting of 362km of new hedgerows, equivalent to the distance of Oxford to Newcastle.  

These measures build on the launch of the Farming and Food Partnership Board, bringing together senior leaders from farming, food, retail, finance and government to take a joined-up, farm-to-fork approach to improving profitability. 

Alongside Baroness Minette Batters’ Farming Profitability Review, these new partnerships will help inform the government’s forthcoming 25-year Farming Roadmap, to be published later this year and setting out a clear, long-term vision for food production, environmental ambition, land use, and farm profitability.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 December 2025.

The 21-kilometre ‘Mersey Valley Way’ is set to run from Stockport through Manchester to Trafford.

• Boost for local business and people who will have better access to nature  
• The walk is first of nine to be created as part of manifesto pledge  

Communities in Greater Manchester and the northwest of England are set to benefit from a new National River Walk, stretching 21 kilometres or the length of a half marathon. 

This walk is the first of its kind and is part of the government’s manifesto pledge to create nine new walks, one for each region of England.  

As thousands of people across the country step out from their homes to enjoy walks over the festive season, this announcement will support better access to the outdoors for the people of Greater Manchester.  

The Mersey Valley Way will offer a boost for local businesses by increasing visitor footfall, complementing wider regeneration work in the area as part of a plan for national renewal.  

New signage along the route will mark out the Mersey Valley Way as a National River Walk. A competition to design the new logo for over 50 local schools and youth groups along the Mersey has been launched, with a winner to be announced in February.  

The first National River Walk comes as part of a broader effort to improve access to nature, including at least £17 million this year to make access more inclusive in our forests, alongside the announcement of two new National Forests, with a third to follow next year.  

Access Minister Baroness Hayman said:    

“Nature is a huge source of pride and enjoyment for people across the country, but too many people struggle to find ways to access the outdoors.  

“We are changing that today, delivering on our manifesto pledge by launching the first of nine new national river walks, boosting opportunities to be in nature and supporting local businesses that line the routes.  

“The Mersey Valley Way offers 21 kilometres of new paths for people in Manchester and Stockport to explore, be outdoors, and enjoy the nature on their doorstep.” 

John Sanders, Strategy and Development Director at Mersey Rivers Trust, said:

“Mersey Rivers Trust and its delivery partners are very excited that the River Mersey has been selected as the first national River Walk. Over 3 million people live within a 1-hour journey of the Mersey Valley Way, which is accessible by the Greater Manchester public transport Bee Network as well as walk, wheel and cycle routes.  Designating the Mersey Valley Way will encourage more people to access nature as well as enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time by the river”. 

The ‘Mersey Valley Way’ will have National River Walk status which brings community engagement benefits, such as guided walks and opportunities to volunteer on nature recovery work along the route with pond restoration, invasive species removal, tree planting and installation of bird, bat and insect boxes all planned. 

Stretches of the existing river path will also be upgraded to meet accessibility standards for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, prams, cyclists and horse-riders. Community engagement is a major aspect of the project, and the River Walk will be developed in consultation with community representatives and local businesses to ensure that the project benefits the local economy and people.   

People on lower incomes, on average, are spending significantly less time in nature. With around 30,000 low-income households in Stockport alone, this new River Walk will help people least likely to access the great outdoors and all of the health and wellbeing benefits it can offer. 

The government recently set out its ambition to recover nature in the revised Environmental Improvement Plan which sets out how we will tackle the nature and climate crisis, improve public health, and support sustainable growth, as well as boosting access to nature as part of the Plan for Change.  

NOTES TO EDITORS   

• The Mersey Rivers trust will be the lead delivery partner on the Mersey Valley Way, working with Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, City of Trees, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, The Conservation Volunteers, Groundwork Greater Manchester and supported by Manchester City Council and Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council.
• The next tranche of national river walks will be identified through competition bids which go live in 2026.