28 Jun 2022

The Telegraph has published an opinion piece on the importance of water quality to public health, written by: Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty; Chair of the Environment Agency, Emma Howard Boyd; and Ofwat Chair, Jonson Cox. Defra Media have subsequently published details of the article on their website: ‘The joint article highlights that while no […]

21 Jun 2022

The Guardian has reported that it has been given consultation details about the next generation of marine nature reserves in England. The Guardian report states: ‘Five highly protected marine areas (HPMAs) could be created by the government to ban all fishing and rewild the sea, the Guardian has learned. The new generation of marine nature […]

21 Jun 2022

Round One of the UK Seafood Fund Infrastructure Scheme has now closed for applications, and Defra are looking for EEA-based economists, social scientists, environmental scientists, and industry experts to assist in the evaluation of applications being submitted to the Scheme. To be eligible, you must not have applied in Round One of the Scheme, and you must […]

14 Jun 2022

The coverage of the crab and lobster deaths in the north east of England has continued, and last week we covered the release of the Defra report findings. Our previous coverage is summarised and linked here. Defra have also released a further news piece: ‘On Thursday 2 June, Fisheries Minister Victoria Prentis provided an update […]

08 Jun 2022

From Defra Innovative projects to restore and rewet peatlands, create green urban spaces and improve flood resilience are among 50 schemes to benefit from the final round of a pioneering fund to drive private investment in nature and tackle climate change. The second round of the Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund (NEIRF), announced today by […]

07 Jun 2022

Defra consultation on the principles of Marine Net Gain: The Government’s response to the 2018 terrestrial Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) consultation confirmed the intention to develop and consult on an appropriate regime for the marine environment which builds on commitments in Defra’s 25 Year Environment Plan. Broadly speaking, marine net gain aims to put the […]

07 Jun 2022

Defra has now published the report into the dead crabs and lobsters on the north-east coast. We reported in early November 2021 on the news of large crustacean mortality, as well as subsequent updates on the investigation and reports of further accounts of dead crabs and lobsters. The Environment Agency immediately launched an emergency investigation, […]

07 Jun 2022

Defra and the Environment Agency announce new grants: ‘Innovative projects to restore and rewet peatlands, create green urban spaces and improve flood resilience are among 50 schemes to benefit from the final round of a pioneering fund to drive private investment in nature and tackle climate change. The second round of the Natural Environment Investment […]