Tag: Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 20 May 2025.

New crackdown is the largest criminal action against water companies in history.

A record 81 criminal investigations into water companies have been launched in England since the election, as part of the Government’s crackdown on sewage dumping.

A new operation spearheaded by Environment Secretary Steve Reed amounts to the largest criminal action against water companies in history.

The number of inspections carried out by authorities into sewage pollution has skyrocketed by nearly 400% since last July.

The record number of Environment Agency spot checks at water company premises and rivers has revealed widespread law-breaking. Over 80 criminal investigations have been launched against water companies over the last nine months, a surge of 145% since the election.

Following these investigations, water bosses could be jailed for five years and water companies fined hundreds of millions of pounds.

This will act as a powerful deterrent, focussing water bosses’ minds on investing to upgrade water infrastructure to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. Water companies will also spend a record £104 billion and cut sewage discharges by nearly half over five years.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed:

Water companies have too often gone unpunished as they pump record levels of sewage into our waterways. No more.

A record number of criminal investigations have been launched into law-breaking water companies – which could see bosses behind bars.

With this Government, water companies who break the law will finally be punished for their disgraceful behaviour so we can clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.

Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency said: 

This milestone is testament to our determination to hold water companies to account and achieve a cleaner water environment.

Our message to the industry is clear: we expect full compliance throughout the water system, and we will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action where we identify serious breaches.

This is just the beginning – we are on track to deliver 10,000 inspections next year, using our tougher powers gained through the Water (Special Measures) Act alongside more officers and upgraded digital tools to drive better performance across the water sector.

When a water company breaks the rules of its environmental permit, that is a criminal offence—for example, releasing excessive pollution into a river or failing to carry out water quality monitoring.

The Environment Agency follows up on every offence they find. The most serious offences, like illegal sewage spills, trigger a criminal investigation that could see water company fines and criminal prosecution for water bosses. The Environment Agency have also taken a zero-tolerance approach to identify and resolve over 1000 minor issues last year like unclogging pipes to deliver immediate improvements to local communities and the environment.

To drive forward this surge in action, the Environment Agency has hired 380 additional regulatory staff to carry out inspections and other enforcement activity.

New powers, delivered by the Government’s landmark Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, also mean water executives who cover up or hide illegal sewage spills can now be locked up for up to two years.

The Environment Agency are also currently carrying out their largest ever criminal investigation into potential widespread non-compliance by water companies at over 2000 sewage treatment works.

Seven cases against water companies are going to court over the next few months following criminal investigations by the Environment Agency.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 20 May 2025.

A single case of atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been confirmed on a farm in Essex, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) confirmed today (Tuesday 20 May).

The animal showed some clinical signs of BSE and was humanely culled on farm and tested as part of Defra’s routine surveillance programme. There is no risk to public health or food safety from this case and the animal, as fallen stock, was not destined to enter the food chain.

Atypical BSE is a naturally occurring, non-contagious disease in cattle which occurs spontaneously. It is distinct from classical BSE which is linked to contaminated feed.

Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

“A single case of atypical BSE has been confirmed on a farm in Essex. The animal died on farm and was tested as part of our strict routine controls and surveillance regime.

“Atypical BSE is distinct from classical BSE and is a spontaneously and sporadically occurring, non-contagious disease which is believed to occur at a very low level in all cattle populations. This is proof that our surveillance system for detecting and containing this type of disease is working.”

Dr James Cooper, Deputy Director of Food Policy at the Food Standards Agency said:

“There is no food safety risk. There are strict controls in place to protect consumers from the risk of BSE, including controls on animal feed, and removal of the parts of cattle most likely to carry BSE infectivity.

“Consumers can be reassured that these important protection measures remain in place and that Food Standards Agency Official Veterinarians and Meat Hygiene Inspectors working in all abattoirs in England will continue to ensure that the safety of consumers remains the top priority.”

Great Britain’s overall risk status for BSE remains at ‘controlled’ and there is no risk to food safety or public health.

The World Organisation for Animal Health and trading partners have been informed of the case. This does not affect the UK’s ability to export beef to other countries.

BSE is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it, you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence. This applies to pet and small holder animals as well as commercial cattle.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy is a chronic degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of cattle. It is not contagious, so it does not spread from animal to animal or between holdings.
• Classical BSE was first diagnosed in the United Kingdom in 1986.
• Atypical BSE is distinct from classical BSE and occurs at a very low level in all cattle populations. It is reported occasionally in countries with active BSE surveillance programmes.
• The last case of atypical BSE in the UK was in December 2024 in Scotland. There has been a total of 4 cases since 2015 (including this latest case).
• [The case was identified as a result of strict control measures we have in place. It was not destined for the human food chain and the Food Standards Agency have confirmed there is no risk to human health as a result of this isolated case.]

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

A major investment will modernise Britain’s fishing fleet, enhance workforce skills, and revitalise coastal communities to boost tourism.

British fishing and coastal communities will benefit from £360 million investment to drive growth and boost the sector for the future as the Government launches its Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund.

The Fund will invest in new technology and equipment to modernise Britain’s fishing fleet, deliver new training and skills to back the next generation of fishers and promote the seafood sector to export our high-quality produce across the world. The government will work with the industry to target investment where it matters most.

The investment comes alongside a new twelve-year fisheries access agreement with the EU securing long-term certainty for British fishing fleets. The deal protects Britain’s fishing access, fishing rights and fishing areas. As a result, there is no change to current access for coastal communities and no reduction in British quota or increase in the quota the EU is allowed to catch.

The Government has also secured a new SPS Agreement that will slash red tape for UK seafood exporters and businesses, and reopen the EU market to GB shellfish from certain domestic waters. This will make it easier to sell British fish to our largest trading partner – in turn driving growth and removing barriers to trade that have been holding businesses back.

Under new plans to be set out by the Government later this week, coastal communities will receive a cash boost for new community facilities, better transport links and investment in apprenticeships. Proposals would see offshore wind farms required to invest into coastal communities benefiting for families, businesses and local community groups across the country.

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

The agreement reached today protects Britain’s fishing access, fishing rights and fishing areas with no increase in the amount of fish EU vessels can catch in British waters.

The Government is backing coastal communities by investing £360 million into our fishing industry, securing the future for the next generation of fishers and breathing new life into our coastal communities as part of the Plan For Change.

Government and agencies will work with fishers to reform support to meet safety regulations, supporting the sector to be more prosperous and safe.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 16 May 2025.

Leading figures across the food system have today joined the Government to advise on its food strategy.

Britain is known for its top-tier restaurants, talented chefs, skilled farmers, and a remarkable mix of cultural and traditional dishes that are celebrated globally. Yet, British cuisine has often been undervalued, and it isn’t right that not everyone has access to affordable, nutritious food.

The cross-government food strategy will restore pride in British food by ensuring a food system that backs British food, grows the economy, feeds the nation, nourishes individuals, and protects the planet, now and in the future.

The Food Strategy Advisory Board (FSAB) will bring together senior leaders from across the food system, representing a wealth of experience and expertise to advise on a clear vision and framework for change, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner MP, will act as Chair, with the first meeting on Wednesday 26 March. The Board will initially meet monthly.

Defra has worked closely with the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) in establishing the Board. The IGD will act as a co-secretariat for its meetings. More broadly on the food strategy and engagement across the food system, the IGD will act as a neutral convenor, drawing on its charitable status and commitment to public benefit.

The food strategy will work to improve our food system to:

• provide more easily accessible and affordable healthy food to tackle diet-related ill health; helping to give children the best start in life and help adults live longer healthier lives;
• maintain our food security by building resilience in the face of climate shocks and geopolitical changes, strengthening the supply chain which operates so effectively to keep us fed;
• reduce the impact of farming and food production on nature, biodiversity and climate, while supporting the sector through that transition;
• ensure growth is at the heart of our strategy using our Growth Mission to drive the investment, productivity and innovation that builds resilience, so that our largest manufacturing sector can realise its potential for economic growth.

Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner said:

Our food and farming sectors are the corner stone of our national identity and economy. We celebrate the great work that farmers, growers, processors, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers do across the country that puts delicious food on our tables.

However, unhealthy diets are driving skyrocketing obesity rates, food security is under pressure from climate change and the way our supply chain works means some farmers are struggling to make a profit.

Our cross-government food strategy will make sure our food system can continue to feed the nation, realise its potential for economic growth, protect the planet, and nourish individuals, now and in the future.

By bringing together expertise from across the food chain, this new Advisory Board will help us build a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable food system for everyone. I look forward to chairing these vital discussions and working together to deliver meaningful change.

Institute of Grocery Distribution CEO Sarah Bradbury said:

We are delighted to be given the opportunity to support Defra, working alongside and uniting stakeholders from across the supply chain, and collaborating with existing membership bodies who understand the specific requirements of their members.

Working collaboratively, we relish the chance to work in a different way, interpreting the needs of industry, government, and society. Together, we can collectively drive meaningful change. As co-secretariat with Defra, our role is to support its engagement with the food system, gather evidence and inputs from stakeholders, and support meetings of the advisory board.

Professor Chris Whitty (Chief Medical Officer for England) said:

Getting the right balance of food can contribute to a healthy, enjoyable and fulfilling life; if as a society we get this wrong it leads to health risks. A poor diet increases the risk of serious and long-term diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

Adapting our food system so that it is easier for people to eat healthy, balanced diets will have a positive impact on population health.

The members of the Board will be:

• Daniel Zeichner MP, Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Defra (Chair)
• Professor Chris Whitty (DHSC)
• Emily Miles (Defra)
• Andrew Selley (Bidcorp UK)
• Anna Taylor (Food Foundation)
• Ash Amirahmadi (Sofina Foods)
• Dalton Philips (Greencore)
• Flor Healy (Little Moons)
• Jillian Moffatt (McCain Foods)
• Ravi Gurumurthy (NESTA)
• Sam Godfrey (Farmer)
• Simon Roberts (Sainsbury’s)
• Professor Susan Jebb (Oxford University)
• Tim Smith (Cranswick)

Secretariat:

• Tessa Jones (Defra)
• Sarah Bradbury (IGD)

The Board is intended to pool members’ collective ideas, influence and effort from across the food system to help set ambition and create the conditions for systems change.

Alongside the Board’s work, insights provided by the Food and Drink Sector Council, as well as regular engagement with trade bodies such as the National Farmers Union, Food and Drink Federation, UK Hospitality, and British Retail Consortium will facilitate a clear vision for a comprehensive food strategy. The FSAB is the first step in a wider engagement strategy which will continue to ensure and demonstrate the joined-up and system-wide approach for the food system, including roundtables with key academics, and planned citizen engagement sessions.

Recognising the importance of a more joined-up approach to food policy across Government, a first meeting has been held of a new Ministerial Food Strategy Group, chaired by Defra Secretary of State and including Ministers from Department for Business and Trade, Department of Health and Social Care, Department for Education and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This new Ministerial group will provide clear political leadership to drive forward the food strategy agenda and will complement structures at official level to ensure a joined-up approach.

Further information

• The FSAB is due to meet for the first time next week followed by regular monthly meetings as part of a multi-stage stakeholder engagement cycle up to the summer.
• The establishment of the FSAB is the first step in a wider stakeholder engagement strategy which will continue to ensure and demonstrate the joined-up and systems-wide approach for the food strategy. More information on the opportunities for stakeholder engagement are due to come shortly.

Member bios and statements

Sarah Bradbury, CEO of IGD

Sarah Bradbury is CEO of IGD, the organisation that has been helping to inspire and unite the food industry for more than 120 years. She brings over 25 years of experience in the retail and food sector, holding senior commercial and marketing positions. In her previous role as Group Quality Director at Tesco, she was responsible for overseeing the delivery of high-quality safe products, sustainability, agriculture and regulatory compliance. It was in this role that Sarah developed her passion for driving collaborative change, mobilising the food and consumer goods sectors as a force for good, and working to improve the food system for the long term.

Andrew Selley (Bidcorp UK) 

There’s never been a more crucial time to overhaul the way we produce, distribute and sell food in order to build a fairer food system. Solving the challenges we face will take serious commitment, and a comprehensive, food strategy that provides secure, nutritious, and affordable food for our families and future generations.

Andrew Selley, Chief Executive, Bidcorp UK. Andrew has spent 26 years with Bidcorp primarily developing business in the UK, as well as businesses in Turkey, the Middle East, the Baltics and Spain. He became CEO of Bidfood in 2014 and sits on the global leadership Foodservice Group within Bidcorp, Bidfood’s parent company. Andrew also has responsibility for Biocorp’s other businesses in the UK, Bidfresh (fruit and veg, fresh meat and fresh fish wholesalers), Bidcorp Manufacturing business, Caterfood Buying Group, and Snowden and Bridge Imports business. Andrew was Chairman of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, 2017 – 2019. Andrew is also a commissioner on the Food Farming and Countryside Commission, and is involved in other sustainable business initiatives such as Better Business Act coalition.

Anna Taylor (Food Foundation) 

Ambitious government leadership in food policy could unlock huge gains for public health and our environment which stand to benefit us all.  The problems with the food system are well evidenced and well understood.  I hope this new food strategy will deliver the change which citizens are calling for and deliver action, not just words; and impact and not just aspiration.

Anna Taylor is Executive Director at The Food Foundation – a leading organisation working on food policy. Previously she was a civil servant at DFID leading their nutrition work and was awarded an OBE for services to tackle undernutrition globally.  She was chief independent adviser to Henry Dimbleby for the National Food Strategy. She started her career as a nutritionist working for Save the Children.

Ash Amirahmadi (Sofina Foods)

It is an honour to be invited to advise the government on the new food strategy. With 35 years of experience in developing supply chains across agri-food businesses, I am eager to offer practical support toward the shared goal of building a thriving UK food system. This system should ensure that all stakeholders, from farm to consumer, can provide safe, nutritious, and accessible food in a sustainable manner.

Ash Amirahmadi was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Sofina Foods Europe in August 2023, a large multi-protein food manufacturer operating 21 sites across the UK, Ireland, Germany. Ash started his career at Unilever. Prior to joining Sofina Foods, Ash held several leadership roles with Arla Foods over a 20-year period. Ash was appointed to the Government’s Food Resilience Industry Forum. Ash was awarded an OBE for services to the dairy industry in the 2023 New Year’s Honours and awarded the Princess Royal Award by The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) in 2024, recognising his outstanding contribution to the sector.

Dalton Philips (Greencore)

I’m proud to join the Food Strategy Advisory Board and collaborate with leaders across the food system. Together, we have a unique opportunity to strengthen food security, promote healthier choices, and build a more sustainable future – ensuring long-term benefits for consumers, businesses, and the planet.

Dalton became CEO of Greencore plc in 2022, a leading manufacturer of convenience foods. Dalton started his career with Jardine Matheson in New Zealand, Australia, and Spain, followed by Walmart in Brazil and Germany, before moving into roles including chief executive of daa plc, chief executive of Wm Morrison plc, then a FTSE 100 company and the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket chain, chief executive of luxury goods retailer Brown Thomas Group, and chief operating officer of Canadian retailer Loblaw Companies Limited.

Flor Healy (Kerry Foods)

‘A secure supply of good quality, healthy and affordable food is the cornerstone of a healthy, peaceful and prosperous society. In todays disturbed world food security must not be taken for granted. Building a more resilient food system has never been more important.

An experienced leader in the food industry, Flor Healy retired from his role as CEO for Samworth Brothers Ltd in 2022. Prior to that he spent 14 years as CEO of Kerry Group’s consumer food division as well as being a Board member of Kerry Group PLC. He is now Chairman of Little Moons and a Non Executive Director of Kepak Group.

Jillian Moffatt (McCain Foods)

At this crucial time for the UK food industry, I am pleased to be participating in this group alongside Government, business, farmers and others. I am proud to represent McCain Foods to share our expertise to help the Government create a Food Strategy that is evidence-based and outcomes focused, to build a more secure UK food system.

Jillian was appointed to the role of Regional President, GB and Ireland at McCain Foods in April 2023. This follows a 25-year career in the food industry, which began at Unilever and Campbell Soup. Over her 16 years at McCain, Jillian has progressed her career in roles across the business in both North America and the UK. These include Vice-President of Finance for McCain Foods Canada, and Chief Technology Officer for McCain Foods globally.

Ravi Gurumurthy (NESTA)

Over the next decade, we have a major opportunity to transform our food system in a way that substantially reduces obesity, puts us on track for net zero, and drives industry innovation. That can only be done through a clear, shared vision informed by perspectives from industry, government and academia.

Ravi is the Chief Executive of Nesta, the UK’s innovation Foundation. Nesta’s mission is to design, test and scale solutions to society’s biggest challenges, from sustainability and health to educational inequality. Ravi also leads the Behavioural Insights Team, also known as the ‘Nudge Unit.’ BIT has grown from a small team in No 10 Downing Street to a 250-person global social purpose consultancy, and subsidiary of Nesta.

Ravi worked in the UK government from 1999 to 2013. He was an advisor and speechwriter to the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, led the creation of Every Child Matters and the Children Act 2004, and the world’s first legally binding Climate legislation. Ravi has held a number of non-executive roles and is currently a governor of the Heath Foundation.

Sam Godfrey (Farmer)

I am looking forward to working with others on the Board.  I will bring experience of commercial agriculture to the Board, which is representative of mainstream agricultural production.  I hope to ensure a pragmatic approach is taken that accommodates the needs of agriculture within the broader aims of the strategy.

Sam has farmed in partnership with his father and brother in their family arable and pig farming businesses in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire for seventeen years although the business no longer keeps pigs.  In addition to taking an active role within the business, Sam has been heavily involved in industry representative positions, including serving on the board of the National Pig Association (2015 – 2024), the board of NFU Sugar (2017 – 2024), and Scunthorpe and Gainsborough Water Management Board (2014 – Present).

Simon Roberts (Sainsbury’s)

Building a resilient UK food system is our shared responsibility. One that requires real partnership, collaboration and long-term commitment from everyone involved. As CEO of Sainsbury’s and President of the IGD, I believe it is our responsibility to ensure that everyone has access to good food now and for generations to come. I look forward to supporting this important work and to working cross sector and cross government to build a compelling food strategy which results in meaningful progress and postive change. Through bringing together policymakers, the food industry and experts we can start building towards a UK food system that delivers economic growth, improves health outcomes, protects our natural environment, and delivers lasting social good.

Simon has worked across retail and food for over 35 years.  He was appointed Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s on 1 June 2020, having joined the business as Retail & Operations Director in 2017. He began his career at Marks and Spencer and joined Sainsbury’s from Boots where he was President of Boots UK and Ireland. Simon is President of the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD), a member of the Government’s Retail Sector Council and an Advisory Board Member of Diversity in Retail.

Professor Susan Jebb (Oxford University)

We urgently need a managed transition in our food system to deliver better outcomes for the health of people and the planet, to sustain the livelihoods of people who produce our food and to grow our economy. I am delighted to be invited to contribute to this advisory group and to support the development of a cross-government food strategy.

Susan Jebb is professor of diet and population health at the University of Oxford. She leads a large research team working to develop the evidence base for policies to encourage healthier and more sustainable diets, and to develop and test dietary interventions to treat obesity and related diseases. She was the science advisor for the influential Foresight report on obesity, chair of the cross-government expert advisory group on obesity and has advised government on standards for food in both schools and hospitals.  She is currently Chair of the Food Standards Agency. Susan is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and was awarded an OBE for services to public health.

Tim J Smith CBE (Cranswick)

For a long time now we’ve had the benefit of a world class food and drink sector in the UK. We are supported by many thousands of hard working folks who turn up every day to produce our food. As we contemplate how best to feed the nation and facing into unparalleled challenges it’s going to be our opportunity to find ways to devise a system, fair for all, which produces food which is healthy, sustainable and affordable. Reports and recommendations might be the start but we need action to swiftly follow deliberation. Mobilising the established highly competent Food Sector Council to help deliver those plans is just one way to get things done.

Tim is the non-executive Chairman of Cranswick plc a leading vertically integrated and innovative supplier of premium, fresh and added value food products with UK sales of £2.6bn. He has previous held leadership roles at Tesco, he was the Chief Executive of the UK’s Food Standards Agency and was the CEO of Arla Foods plc.

Tim was appointed a Non-Executive Director and Board member of Pret a Manger. In 2020 Tim was appointed the Chair of the UK government’s Trade and Agriculture Commission. Tim was appointed as the Co-Chair of the Food and Drink Sector Council (FDSC) in July 2022. Tim was appointed as a Trustee of the Natasha Allergy Foundation in April 2019. Tim was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to agriculture, food, and drink trade policy in the 2022 New Years Honours.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 16 May 2025.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed approves purchase to allow new scheme to be built.

All homes, businesses and crucial infrastructure in Oxford at risk of flooding from the River Thames will be better protected thanks to a major new flood defence.

This will provide vital reassurances for more than 160,000 residents in the face of our changing climate.

In another step under the Government’s Plan for Change, Environment Secretary Steve Reed gave crucial approval to the Environment Agency and its partners to purchase land and grant rights within the flood scheme area, which has enabled the flood scheme to progress.

This project is part of the Government’s record two-year investment of £2.65 billion to build and repair flood defences across the country.

Floods Minister Emma Hardy said:

The role of Government is to protect its citizens, but flood defences were inherited in their worst condition on record.

Through our Plan for Change, a record £2.65 billion is going into building and repairing flood defences over the next two years.

The Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme is a vital new piece of infrastructure that will deliver economic growth in Oxfordshire, better protect homes and businesses and deliver new jobs.

Robbie Williams, Project Director for the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme, said:

We’re delighted to have received approval to progress with purchasing the land needed for the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme to go ahead.

This is a major step forward for the project, ensuring we can bring this vital flood protection to the city. As we face increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather, the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme is more urgently needed than ever.

We can now all look forward to starting work on putting the scheme into place.

Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor Champion, Lord Vallance, said:

Flooding is a risk to both lives, and livelihoods. This scheme will make Oxford more resilient, helping to protect the infrastructure, business premises and homes which all underpin the region’s economy. Our ambitions for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor can only be met by us stepping up to face challenges like this.

Safeguarding Oxford in this way reinforces our work to turbo-charge investment and growth in the city and beyond, as part of the Plan for Change.

This follows the earlier good news that Oxfordshire County Council resolved to grant planning permission for the scheme – this decision is separate from the Compulsory Purchase Order.

The Environment Agency made a Compulsory Purchase Order for the land, which – as there were objections from some of the landowners – went to a public inquiry. An independent Inspector listened to the objections and to the case for confirming the order and reported her recommendations to the Secretary of State to make a final decision.

The new scheme is designed to cope with major floods of a scale Oxford last experienced in 1947. This is far bigger in size than any of the floods Oxford has experienced in recent decades. With a changing climate, it is expected there would be more frequent heavy rainfall leading to potential flooding.

The Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme is designed to work with the natural floodplain to the west of Oxford, which will be lowered to increase its capacity. A new stream will be created, fed by the River Thames, meandering through gently sloping grazing meadows. People will be able to walk and cycle alongside the new stream, with views of wildflowers and wetland. The Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme aims to enhance the natural floodplain to the west of Oxford by lowering it to increase its capacity.

With the Compulsory Purchase Order confirmed, the Environment Agency can now exercise its statutory powers to acquire the rights and interests in the affected land. Once this process is complete, construction is expected to start in late 2026.

Led by the Environment Agency, the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme is one of the biggest flood schemes currently proposed in England.

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 14 May 2025.

Personal imports for travellers from the EU remain banned.

Following rigorous technical assessment, Great Britain has officially recognised Germany as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) free without vaccination as of 14 May 2025.

As a result, restrictions previously applied to imports of affected commodities from the containment zone in Germany have now been lifted. This means that exports of FMD-susceptible animals, such as cattle, pigs, sheep, deer and buffaloes, and their products, such as meat and dairy, can resume from the containment zone, provided that all other import conditions are met. This decision follows rigorous technical assessment of the measures applied in Germany and the current disease situation. If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity.

Personal import restrictions remain in place that prevent travellers from bringing cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, as well as dairy products, from EU countries into Great Britain for personal use, to protect the health of British livestock, the security of farmers, and the UK’s food security. This includes bringing items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into Great Britain – regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty free.

FMD poses no risk to human or food safety, but is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals. Livestock keepers should therefore be absolutely rigorous about their biosecurity.

FMD 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
• your local Field Services Office in Scotland

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 7 May 2025.

Grants will support farmers to invest in equipment and access technology, helping to boost profits, production and nature.

Farmers across England will be able to apply to grants totalling £50 million to improve access to new technology able to boost productivity, profitability and food security, the government announced today (Wednesday 7 May).

From seed-planting robots which decrease costs, to pesticide spreaders which help reduce chemical use, or slurry separator systems which bring down reliance on expensive fertilisers, the grants will enable farmers to cut costs while increasing efficiency and sustainability.

The £46.7 million Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) will support farmers with three types of grant, worth up to £25,000 each, to invest in day-to-day equipment to boost productivity, manage slurry or improve animal health and welfare.

In addition, the £5 million Investor Partnerships programme will blend government grant money with private investment to bring cutting edge technology to market, giving farmers and food producers faster and more widespread access to state-of-the-art innovations.

A successful pilot has already reduced reliance on seasonal labour through bringing high-yield broccoli harvesters to market and helped crops grow healthier and faster without chemicals by using new seed cleaning technologies. This new grant will go even further to protect food supply chains and create a more sustainable, profitable agricultural sector.

Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner said:

Equipment and technology help drive farming forward and we will work with investors to fund more resilient, sustainable farms boosting profitability, productivity and food security.

This is the Plan for Change in action and these grants will help provide our farmers with the equipment necessary to adapt, compete, and grow no matter what challenges lie ahead.

Today’s announcement builds on significant government grants already available to the farming sector, with £45.6 million announced last month to drive the development of new inventions and technologies, helping farmers increase their profits, boost food production and help nature.

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

Key research to combat ongoing pest and disease outbreaks and emerging threats to protect our trees.

British woodlands and trees will benefit from new research aimed at boosting protection against pests and diseases, announced today (Tuesday 6 May).

Our plants and trees are estimated to contribute £4.1 billion per year to the UK’s economy – their vast canopies are teeming with birds and insects, they help mitigate the impact of flooding for communities across the country, trees outside woodland in towns as well as rural areas are cherished by the British people. But our trees are vulnerable, with plant pests and diseases posing a significant threat to nature and the economy.

The threat from pests and diseases is growing due to factors like climate change, and it is increasingly important to plant resilient trees that can withstand warmer temperatures so people and nature can enjoy the widespread benefits they bring.

17 new research projects will improve tree health and resilience through the Centre for Forest Protection – a collaboration between Forest Research and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

These will help plant and protect treescapes that are resilient to stresses including climate change and pests and diseases such as ash dieback, which has been estimated to kill over 100 million trees in the UK and cost the economy up to £15 billion to Great Britain over the coming decades.

The £4 million of funding will include projects to facilitate future tree breeding for resilience to ash dieback and a fungal disease affecting Scots pine, and new technologies so trees can flower at a younger age to accelerate breeding programmes.

Professor Nicola Spence, Defra’s Chief Plant Health Officer, said:

“Tackling the growing threat from plant pests and diseases due to climate change is critical to protect the long-term health and resilience of our trees.

“Expanding our research efforts and work to restore native ash trees are an important step in the fight against diseases which devastate our nations woodlands, protecting trees for the benefits they bring to our climate and for people’s enjoyment.”

Dr Louise Gathercole, Centre for Forest Protection Coordinator, said:

“At Forest Research and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, we are delighted to continue our collaboration under the Centre for Forest Protection.

“Funding this virtual centre gives us the opportunity to leverage the expertise and resources of both organisations, along with a wide range of other collaborators, to carry out innovative science and produce the evidence needed for future woodland resilience.”

Projects for 2025/26 include:

• Dodging the double whammy, looking into whether trees resilient to ash dieback can also help avoid damage from Emerald Ash Borer, an exotic emerald coloured beetle from Asia which has caused significant damage to ash trees in North America.
• Infusing resilience into the Scots pine genetic resource, breeding pine trees resilience to Dothistroma needle blight, a fungal disease which can reduce timber yields and even cause tree death.
• Developing novel methods to understand and mitigate grey squirrel bark stripping behaviour, on the impact of invasive grey squirrels on woodlands – with an estimated economic cost of £37 million annually – and how to combat bark stripping behaviour, which disincentivises tree planting and leaves trees susceptible to increased risk of disease.

As part of £700,000 of Defra-funded research, a second UK ash tree archive in Scotland has now been planted aimed at increasing resilience and further developing efforts for a breeding programme of tolerant UK ash. This is a key step towards restoring native ash back to our landscape.

2500 young trees have now been planted over the 1-hectare site. These trees have been specially selected as showing signs of potential resistance to the disease. Over the coming years, the less healthy individuals will be weeded out, allowing for the best trees to form a potential seed orchard for resistant ash seed production in future.

This follows over 3000 trees of tolerant ash being planted at the first ash archive site in southern England in 2019. Screening for tolerant trees in a different climate away from other threats will significantly boost research efforts. Identifying ash with a high tolerance to the disease will enable the development of orchards producing commercially available seed and prove transformative to our future landscapes.

The announcement marks the launch of this year’s National Plant Health Week (5-12 May 2025), an annual designated week of action to raise public awareness and engagement on how to keep our plants healthy, led by Defra in partnership with 32 organisations, including the Royal Horticultural Society, the Woodland Trust and the Horticultural Trades Association

Additional information:

• The second ash archive is funded by Defra on an estate owned by Forestry Land Scotland in Clackmannanshire.
• The Centre for Forest Protection is a collaborative, virtual hub which aims to protect our trees from environmental and socioeconomic threats, through innovative science, interdisciplinary research, expert advice and training. The CFP is led by Forest Research – Great Britain’s principal organisation for forestry and tree-related research – and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, whose mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi, for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.

The 17 new research projects are:

• Dodging the Double Whammy: Does Resistance to Ash Dieback Help European Ash Avoid Damage by Emerald Ash Borer?
• Knowledge synthesis: How trees evolve under novel conditions
• SUPPoRT: Sustainable Plant Provenancing for Resilient Trees
• Genomic basis of ash health after five and thirteen years’ exposure to ash dieback
• Complex Yew Decline Research
• ADGROW: Applied Dendrochronology for the Genomic Resilience Of Woodlands
• EXPLORATION: Assessing the robustness of mixed species planting as a drought adaptation measure during early stage establishment – an experimental approach
• Enhancing forest resilience through stand structural complexity
• Infusing resilience into the Scots pine genetic resource
• Phenology, Genomics, and Non-Destructive Testing: A Comprehensive Approach to Detecting, Understanding, and Reducing Oak Shake (PhenoGenDT)
• Speed breeding technologies for UK broadleaved trees
• Forest Sector Modelling of the Impact of Biotic and Abiotic Risks on Forest Resilience
• Developing novel methods to understand and mitigate grey squirrel bark stripping behaviour
• Supporting farmers’ on-farm integration of tree resilience actions
• REWARD, Remote Early Warning and Advanced Response for Diseases.
• The wind within the trees: understanding cultural, silvicultural, and timber quality dimensions to windstorm risks and impacts
• Resilience to compound abiotic and biotic stress in native Scots Pine

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

Waste criminals, fly-tippers and cowboy waste operators to have vehicles seized and crushed.

A new crackdown on cowboy waste operators will tackle soaring fly-tipping and clean up Britain’s streets, lanes and rural areas, the Government has announced today (Tuesday 29 April).

Councils will work with the police to identify, seize and crush vehicles of waste criminals. Drones and mobile CCTV cameras will be deployed to identify cars and vans belonging to fly-tippers so they can be destroyed.

Ministers have launched a rapid review to slash red tape blocking councils from seizing and crushing vehicles. Councils currently have to bear the significant cost of seizing and storing vehicles but under new plans, being consider by Ministers, fly-tippers will cover this cost, saving councils and taxpayers money.

In addition, waste cowboys will now face up to five years in prison for operating illegally. Any criminals caught transporting and dealing with waste illegally will now face up to five years in prison under new legislation.

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

Waste criminals and fly-tippers who blight our towns and villages have gone unpunished for too long.

That ends today. The Government is calling time on fly-tipping. I will not stand by while this avalanche of rubbish buries our communities.

Under the Plan for Change, this Government will seize and crush fly-tippers vans’ to clean up Britain’s streets.

These measures support the Government’s Plan for Change and will help deliver its key mission of Safer Streets for the public, restoring communities’ faith in efforts to combat anti-social behaviour.

Waste crime is trashing communities across the country. Fly-tipping has skyrocketed by a fifth whilst the number of prosecutions has fallen by the same amount since 2018/19. The failure to punish these criminals has left our high streets, roads and countryside buried under an avalanche of rubbish.

The Environment Agency will also carry out identity and criminal record checks on operators in the sector so there is nowhere to hide for rogue firms.

It will be handed more resources as they will now be able to fund the cost of policing the industry through permits, boosting their powers and cutting costs for taxpayers. The reforms will also give them more power to revoke permits, issue enforcement notices and hefty fines.

Philip Duffy, Environment Agency Chief Executive, said:

Waste crime is toxic. Criminals’ thoughtless actions harm people, places, and the economy, blighting our communities and disrupting legitimate businesses.

At the Environment Agency, we’re determined to bring these criminals to justice through tough enforcement action and prosecutions. That’s why we support the Government’s crackdown on waste criminals, which will ensure we have the right powers to shut rogue operators out of the waste industry.

Executive Director of the Environmental Services Association (ESA), Jacob Hayler, said:

For too long, criminality has run rampant across the waste sector. These illegal activities threaten the environment; damage communities and undermine legitimate recycling and waste operations. ESA has long campaigned for tighter rules, tougher enforcement and harsher penalties to deter criminals, so we very much welcome today’s reforms and hope that they are put to good use driving criminals out of our sector.

In particular, the proposed reforms to the carriers, brokers, dealers and exemption regimes, coupled with strong and effective enforcement from the regulators, could go a long way to help tackle the scourge of waste crime, with increased scrutiny and accountability making it much harder for criminals to operate in our sector.

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said:

Our residents have had enough of the dumpers who pollute their neighbourhoods with rubbish. These new powers will be a welcome addition to our arsenal, reinforcing our zero-tolerance stance on fly-tipping. We’ve already witnessed the positive impact of our focused efforts, and I am determined to use every tool at our disposal, including seizing vehicles, to reclaim our streets.

The Government is making available £69 billion to council budgets across England – a 6.8% cash terms increase – and bringing forward the first multi-year funding settlement in a decade, to help fund key responsibilities like tackling fly-tipping.

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

New laws in force today mark the toughest sentencing powers against law-breaking water executives in history.

• Powers introduced could see water bosses who cover up illegal sewage spills sent to prison for two years.
• New measures will force water companies to end their disgraceful behaviour and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.

Water company bosses could face up to two years in prison due to new powers in force today (Friday 25 April 2025).

The new powers, delivered by the Government’s landmark Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, mean water executives who cover up or hide illegal sewage spills can now be locked up.

No prison sentences have been handed to water executives since privatisation despite widespread illegal sewage discharges into rivers, lakes and seas. These new, tougher penalties are essential because some water companies have obstructed investigations, failing to hand over vital evidence related to illegal sewage discharges. This has prevented crackdowns against law-breaking water companies.

The new measures deliver on the Government’s promise to bring tougher criminal charges against lawbreakers in the water industry. As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, the threat of imprisonment will act as a powerful deterrent as water companies invest in upgrading broken water infrastructure and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed said:

Bosses must face consequences if they commit crimes. There must be accountability.

From today, there will be no more hiding places.

As part of the Plan for Change, water companies must now focus on cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.

In addition, new powers will mean that the polluters will pay for the cost of criminal investigations into wrongdoing. Authorities will now recover the costs of their enforcement activity, with the Environment Agency currently consulting on how they will use the powers.

The payment of bonuses to water bosses will also be banned if they fail to meet high standards to protect the environment, their consumers, and their company’s finances.

Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency said:

The Water (Special Measures) Act was a crucial step in making sure water companies take full responsibility for their impact on the environment.

The tougher powers we have gained though this legislation will allow us, as the regulator, to close the justice gap, deliver swifter enforcement action and ultimately deter illegal activity.

Alongside this, we’re modernising and expanding our approach to water company inspections – and it’s working. More people, powers, better data and inspections are yielding vital evidence so that we can reduce sewage pollution, hold water companies to account and protect the environment.

The Government will continue to reform the water sector in order to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas once and for all.

Alongside this, £104 billion of private sector investment has been secured to upgrade and build new water infrastructure across the country, supporting the building of 1.5 million new homes, creating thousands of jobs and powering new industries such as gigafactories and data centres as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

Notes to editors:

Criminal Liability

• Until now, water regulators have faced significant challenges gathering evidence for prosecutions due to obstruction of their investigations.
• This is a criminal offence, but since privatisation, only three water company officials have been criminally prosecuted for obstruction by the EA without appeal and the maximum punishment was merely a fine – though no fines were issued.
• From now on, offences will be triable in both the Crown and Magistrates’ Courts and imprisonment will act as a powerful deterrent, bringing water regulation powers in line with other sectors, such as those covering fraud or health and safety investigations.

 The new provisions enable:

• courts to include imprisonment as a sanction when investigations by water regulators (the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and the Drinking Water Inspectorate) have been obstructed;
• obstruction offences to be heard in the Crown Court;
• directors and executives to be prosecuted where obstruction occurs with their consent, connivance or neglect.

Previously:

• obstructing regulators’ investigations was not always punishable by imprisonment;
• cases could not always be heard in the Crown Court;
• there were no straightforward routes for prosecuting directors or executives where obstruction was committed with their consent or connivance, or was attributable to their neglect.

The Water Special Measures Act received Royal Assent in February – see press release here: New law to ban bonuses for polluting water bosses – GOV.UK

Further detail on the measures in the Act can be found in the Policy Statement here: Water (Special Measures) Act: policy statement – GOV.UK

Action on water

• The government has taken immediate action to reset the water sector. Change is being delivered three stages:
• In his first week in office, the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed announced a series of initial steps. This included immediately ringfencing funding for vital water infrastructure so that it can only be spent on upgrades benefiting the environment – not diverted for bonuses, dividends or salary increases. Where money is not spent, we will force water companies to return it to customers.
• Second, the landmark Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 has been signed into law, marking the most significant increase in enforcement powers in a decade. The Act will:
• Strengthen regulation to ensure water bosses face personal criminal liability for lawbreaking.
• Give the water regulator new powers to ban the payment of bonuses if environmental standards are not met.
• Boost accountability for water executives through a new ‘code of conduct’ for water companies, so customers can summon board members and hold executives to account.
• Introduce new powers to bring automatic and severe fines.
• Require water companies to install real-time monitors at every emergency sewage outlet with data independently scrutinised by the water regulators.
• Third, the Independent Commission into the water sector, launched by the UK and Welsh governments, is carrying out the largest review of the industry since privatisation. Its recommendations, due later this summer, will shape further laws to attract the investment needed to clean up our waterways, accelerate infrastructure delivery and restore public confidence in the sector.
• The next five years will see £104 billion in private sector investment into the water industry—the largest since privatisation. This will drive forward 150 major infrastructure projects, creating over 30,000 jobs across the country, and support the building of 1.5 million new homes and powering new industries such as gigafactories and data centres.
• The Secretary of State and Water Minister recently completed a ‘Things Can Only Get Cleaner’ tour to see where this investment will underpin the building of new homes, create jobs and turbocharge local economies around the country – a cornerstone of the government’s Plan for Change. This included a pledge to end sewage discharges into the iconic lake Windermere.