Water briefing: The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs has published its second catchment partnerships report for the period 2014-15. Defra delegated the powers to provide financial assistance to the Environment Agency in order to support the establishment and maintenance of partnerships across all 87 (and 6 crossborder) water management catchments in England. The Environment Agency has […]
The green light for North Yorkshire coastal path reinforces recent Government announcements on their commitment to coastal path investment. Defra 15th Jan ‘New coastal paths have been approved from Filey Brigg to Newport Bridge and Dunball Wharf to St Audries Bay. The longest single section of coastal path ever to be approved has been given […]
There are a bewildering array of other elements behind the headline % cuts which are lower than predicted. Smoke and mirrors, billions down the back of the sofa, an OBR windfall (£27bn) is how the ‘new’ money has been described. The Defra statement is set out below. Three elements begin to emerge: The flood infrastructure […]
Defra spending Economists at RSPB & The Wildlife Trusts say Defra is being hit with the biggest cuts http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/409659-rspb-and-the-wildlife-trusts-criticise-decision-to-cut-funding-for-environment-by-up-to-40?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=News ADAS – research collaborations being cut https://www.fginsight.com/news/defra-starts-pulling-the-plug-on-research-projects-as-spending-cuts-bite-7783 The Environmental Audit Committee has commissioned the National Audit Office to audit the Treasury’s Spending Review process for its environmental impact. Statement from the Chair Environmental Audit Committee Chair, […]
Fishing Focus Issue 38 Although this issue is dominated by fuller explanations of the Demersal landings obligation there are also updates from Defra on: Bass fishing Marine Licensing Inshore fishing activities Fisheries management in MPAs Implications of climate change The MMO Marine Information system To read this go to: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fishing-focus-issue-38-autumn-2015?cm_mid=5109943&cm_crmid=00abff55-f721-e311-a13d-00155d00012f&cm_medium=email
This is response begins to clarify how Ministers are thinking about the Spending Review. Farming Guardian ‘Farming Minister George Eustice has insisted there is no truth in the rumour Defra could be disbanded this autumn, but has shed new light on how it will respond to budget cuts, including recovering more of its costs. To […]
Defra ‘The Government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and improving the environment is delivered through a range of tools, initiatives and best practice. These aim to protect and improve the water environment and support competitive agriculture. We need a combination of different actions to tackle agricultural diffuse pollution of water effectively. Some action will happen as […]
Elizabeth Truss speech to Wildlife & Countryside Link (Sept 15th) https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/elizabeth-truss-speech-to-the-wildlife-and-countryside-link This speech at the meeting which saw the launch of the Blueprint for Water’s vision The speech is a very strange mix of the well-trodden Government path of supporting all things farming and economic with very little mention of nature conservation. It highlighted a […]