12 Dec 2017

According to the government, Forestry Commission plans to release four beavers in the Forest of Dean have been approved by Natural England and are backed by Michael Gove. Beavers are set to be released in the Forest of Dean in plans confirmed by the Environment Secretary and the Forestry Commission. The project will see two adult […]

06 Dec 2017

An interesting recent article showing that Defra’s budget has halved in just nine years and the Chancellor plans more cuts. Concerns about Defra’s preparedness for Brexit have been raised after the small print of the Chancellor’s Budget revealed the department would face further cuts over the next three years. In 2008, Defra had £3.1 billion […]

06 Dec 2017

Following the consultation it initiated in 2015, Defra has released its conclusions on farming rules for water. Click here for a press notice, policy paper and overview of the rules. Defra’s documents outline the new rules and say that in essence: the rules cover both management of fertilisers and manure and management of soils; in […]

06 Dec 2017

Defra, the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Rural Payments Agency are developing a scheme under the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) called the Water Environment Grant (WEG) to fund improvements to the water environment. The proposed scheme is being designed to support delivery of projects that are currently funded through the Water Environment […]

21 Nov 2017

Last week saw a number of new announcements from Defra. These included: UK and Welsh governments sign water powers agreement. UK Government introduces measure to safeguard water supply for England & Wales; Protocol to safeguard water resources, water supply and water quality for consumers in England and Wales. This “will safeguard water resources, water supply […]

14 Nov 2017

The government is seeking views on the development of a national policy statement for water resources and the types of infrastructure that it will apply to. The government wants to know what you think about its approach to developing a national policy statement for water resources. The statement will simplify the process of gaining planning […]

12 Nov 2017

New environmental protections to deliver a Green Brexit Environment Secretary Michael Gove announces plans to consult on a new, independent body for environmental standards   Defra: Plans to consult on a new, independent body that would hold Government to account for upholding environmental standards in England after we leave the European Union have been set out by […]

07 Nov 2017

The Environmental Audit Committee last week questioned the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Read more here Some key points He vowed to consult on the creation of a new environmental body – “A Commission” – to ensure the UK avoids a “governance gap” after leaving the […]