Energy & Environment

MMO supports new Lyme Bay Fisherman's CIC

A new community interest company, Lyme Bay Fisherman's CIC, has recently been formed, supported by funding through the UK Fisheries and Seafood Scheme from Marine Management Organisation. This week, Fishing News has shared an article about the project where the ...

Updated: Thu Feb 23 2023

POSEIDON: Changing the game for offshore wind and nature

By Alex Fawcett and Victoria Copley, Marine Strategic Solutions Principal Advisers Offshore wind development is a vitally important part of the UK government approach to tackling the climate crisis and addressing energy security. This priority sits alongside the urgent need ...

Updated: Thu Feb 23 2023

Defra announces further support for farmers at NFU conference

Both Defra Secretary of State Thérèse Coffey and Farming Minister Mark Spencer have addressed the National Farmers Union's conference this week, during which they made a number of announcements to support farmers with sustainable food production. On Tuesday 21 February, ...

Updated: Wed Feb 22 2023

Introducing Animal Health and Welfare grants

Now that the Annual Health and Welfare Review is open, I'd like to share more about the next step on the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway: Animal Health and Welfare grants.

Updated: Tue Feb 21 2023

Protecting nature through our enforcement work - latest data published

By Stephanie Bird-Halton, National Delivery Director. At Natural England our mission is to build partnerships for nature's recovery, which is reflected in our work with a wide range of people to rebuild sustainable ecosystems and protect and restore habitats, species, ...

Updated: Tue Feb 21 2023

Storm overflow actions plans

On Monday 20th February, the Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey set out a clear ask for all water companies in England to share their plans on improving Britain's water infrastructure. As part of a drive for better water quality, every water ...

Updated: Mon Feb 20 2023

How trees can stack up to help your farm business diversify

Peter Knox is a Business Development Advisor with the Forestry Commission. A key aim of his work is helping farmers become more resilient through incorporating trees into their farm businesses. Based in the Penrith Office, Peter oversees an exciting area for ...

Updated: Thu Feb 16 2023

Coverage on phosphorus pollution from agriculture

There has been coverage today in the Times - part of its Clean It Up campaign - regarding guidance for farmers to reduce and prevent agricultural pollution into waterways. The piece states that ministers have been accused of giving farmers ...

Updated: Wed Feb 15 2023

Natural England wildlife licensing statistics for 2022

By Stephanie Bird-Halton, National Delivery Director Many wild animals and plants are protected in law by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. As nature conservation adviser and regulator, one of Natural ...

Updated: Wed Feb 15 2023

Government response to the Times' Clean It Up Campaign

The Times has launched its Clean It Up campaign which calls for more action to tackle water pollution. We welcome the awareness it will raise of this critically important issue and scrutiny on the work being taken to tackle it.

Updated: Tue Feb 14 2023

Coverage from the Save Britain's Rivers campaign

There has been inaccurate coverage in the i this weekend following the launch of their Save Britain's Rivers campaign. The headline claim on Saturday that only 6% of Britain's rivers are on course to be healthy by 2027 is completely ...

Updated: Mon Feb 13 2023

Coverage on water company fines for pollution

As part of The Times Clean It Up campaign there are claims that water companies could "escape higher fines" for spilling sewage into rivers and seas. This is not the case. We have been clear that all options - including ...

Updated: Mon Feb 13 2023

New round of Farming Equipment and Technology Fund grants opening soon

The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund is part of the Farming Investment Fund. It offers grants for specific items of equipment to increase productivity, boost environmental sustainability and improve animal health and welfare. Today, we published the full list of items available through the fund. In this post, I'll explain what is available, when you can apply for a grant and provide links for you to find out more.

Updated: Mon Feb 13 2023

The Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot: learning together

Farmers across England are helping us to test the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) through the SFI pilot. In this post, I'll share a snapshot of what we've learned from pilot participants through on-farm and large-scale, regional face-to-face events.

Updated: Mon Feb 13 2023

Fishing industry nets new funding to train the next generation

There has been coverage in outlets including Business Live, the Yorkshire Post, Press and Journal and Fishing Daily following our announcement on the winners of the first round of the £100 million UK Seafood Fund's Skills and Training scheme. Winning ...

Updated: Fri Feb 10 2023

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Women have played a crucial role in science for as long as humans have been on earth. From the earliest use of herbs in healing, to the discovery of the structure of DNA[1], women scientists have always been pioneers. However, ...

Updated: Fri Feb 10 2023