Water Minister meets farmers in drought affected Norfolk
In this blog we look at Minister Pow's visit to Norfolk and the work being done by the government to boost water security in the region and England as a whole.
Updated: Mon Aug 14 2023
The Sustainable Farming Incentive offer in 2023: guidance update
We've made some minor changes to the SFI Handbook for the 2023 offer and provided voluntary guidance on how you could do the SFI actions in response to feedback from farmers. In this post, we'll share an overview and links.
Updated: Thu Aug 10 2023
Further innovation grants coming soon
This month, we will open another round of the Small R&D Partnership Projects competition and, in September, another round of the Feasibility Studies competition will follow. In this post, I'll give you a brief overview of the competitions. I'll also include links to guidance, share details of upcoming webinars and include dates to note.
Updated: Wed Aug 02 2023
Navigation Officers doing their bit for climate change on the Medway
Shaun Gage, Navigation Officer, explains how his team are managing the River Medway Navigation sustainably by cutting carbon, restoring nature, and ensuring the river is a great place to visit for local communities. The summer months are some of the ...
Updated: Wed Aug 02 2023
Coverage of single-use carrier bag statistics
Today we are looking at coverage of new figures showing that sales of single-use plastic carrier bags continue to fall.
Updated: Tue Aug 01 2023
Coverage on storm overflows and protected sites
Defra's response to coverage of Greenpeace Unearthed findings about storm overflows and protected sites.
Updated: Tue Aug 01 2023
Introducing Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure grants
In this post, we share the next steps of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway. Through the first round of the Animal Health and Welfare Equipment and Technology grant, over £19 million will be awarded to more than 3,000 pig, cattle, poultry and sheep farmers. A new Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure grant is also on the way: the Calf Housing for Health and Welfare grant.
Updated: Thu Jul 27 2023
Landowners warned not to be victims at the hands of waste criminals
By Sharon Owen, Senior Environmental Crime Officer My role as a Senior Environmental Crime Officer is to prevent, disrupt and stop criminal operations. I have been fighting crime for the last 41 years. In that time, I have seen first-hand ...
Updated: Thu Jul 27 2023
Coverage of update to extended producer responsibility scheme
There has been coverage in the Financial Times, the Telegraph, The Times and i News following our announcement providing further details on the extended producer responsibility for packaging scheme. The announcement confirmed that, following extensive engagement with industry, and in ...
Updated: Wed Jul 26 2023
What we have achieved at agricultural shows this summer
Agricultural shows are the highlight of farming calendars across the country. Since May, Defra ministers have travelled to 16 different shows in every nation and region of the UK , speaking to farmers and land managers about our new farming ...
Updated: Wed Jul 26 2023
Animal Health and Welfare Equipment and Technology grants: help shape the next round
In March, we took another step forward on the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway by launching the first round of the Animal Health and Welfare Equipment and Technology Grant. In this post, we'd like to invite you to help us shape the next round.
Updated: Mon Jul 24 2023
EA at Plastics Future 2023 - sharing creative approaches to end plastic pollution
To celebrate Plastic Free July, Victoria Prowse and Helen Powers from the East Midlands Regulated Industry team write about their recent talk at the Plastics Future 2023 conference at Plymouth University.
Updated: Mon Jul 24 2023
Watch: Trialling farmer-led land management plans at Aqualate Mere, Staffordshire
In this film, farmers from the Aqualate Mere catchment share their experiences of taking part in Tests and Trials. This test created a land management plan and worked to set priorities for the catchment, incorporating biodiversity, water quality and carbon sequestration.
Updated: Mon Jul 24 2023
Asian hornets identified in Dover
Today we are looking at media coverage on our announcement regarding confirmed sightings of Asian hornets in Dover
Updated: Thu Jul 20 2023
Coverage of the new measures that aim to support the fishing industry and marine environment
There has been widespread coverage in The Sunday Telegraph, The Independent and on BBC News Northern Ireland following our announcement that sets out further steps to deliver a thriving, sustainable fishing industry and healthy marine environment for generations to come. ...
Updated: Mon Jul 17 2023
Early Career Scientist Interdisciplinary Summer School: a week of fun, facts and FISH!
First things first, who am I? I'm James, an Offshore Fisheries Observer and team leader at Cefas. I have been doing the observer role for almost 4 years now, so I am very much an early career (fisheries) scientist. I ...
Updated: Wed Jul 12 2023
New regulations set to promote fairness and transparency across the dairy sector
Defra announce more detail on regulations set to come into force later this year which will ensure supply contracts in the dairy sector are fair and transparent
Updated: Wed Jul 12 2023
SFI: more ways to enhance your income, productivity and the environment
This year, the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer will be bigger and more flexible. We'll start accepting applications for the new offer in a controlled rollout from August. Learn how SFI can provide a steady income, help make your farm more productive and support you to produce food sustainably.
Updated: Tue Jul 11 2023
Coverage of new higher fines for litter, graffiti and fly-tipping
Today we are looking at coverage of the new higher limits for fixed penalty notices to tackle environmental crimes.
Updated: Mon Jul 10 2023
Coverage of funding for councils to clean up chewing gum from our streets
Today we are looking at coverage of new funding for councils to clean up chewing gum from our streets
Updated: Fri Jul 07 2023
Enforcement Days of Action - what they are and why they are important
The main purpose of my role as an Enforcement Team Leader for the Environment Agency's Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire Area is making a difference to legitimate businesses. I've done the role for four years and I enjoy helping to ensure the environment is protected by working to combat illegal waste activities with my knowledgeable team.
Updated: Fri Jul 07 2023
How science, partnerships and innovation are key to tackling illegal trade of sharks and rays in Indonesia
A standardised training programme for shark and ray trade inspectors, a team of 20 expert trainers increasing staff capacity nationally and a global expert in identifying shark products from DNA are just some of the highlights delivered as part of ...
Updated: Wed Jul 05 2023
Dry weather impacts on fish in rivers
Today (Monday 3 July), the BBC reported there have been unprecedented fish deaths in rivers due to record hot temperatures in June. The piece highlights that the Environment Agency has received more reports of dead fish than the same time ...
Updated: Mon Jul 03 2023
Water Management grant: there's still time to apply
There's still time for you to apply for a Water Management grant before the window closes on 12 July. The grant is available to horticultural and arable businesses growing, or intending to grow, irrigated food crops, ornamentals, or forestry nurseries. The maximum grant available is £500,000 per applicant per funding round. The minimum grant you can apply for is £35,000.
Updated: Mon Jul 03 2023
Studland Bay: Why you need a licence to search for seahorses
It was great to see coverage of the conservation efforts at Studland Bay on BBC's Springwatch programme (episode 7) recently. The show, which aired on 7 June, highlighted the need to protect the area's precious seagrass - home to protected ...
Updated: Fri Jun 30 2023