The Latest Breaking News from Defra

7 million birds have died amid bird flu outbreak 'devastating' farms

Defra said the figures are UK-wide and showed both captive birds that died of avian influenza and those that were culled for disease control

Wales Online · Jan 19, 2023

Mass crab die-off: scientists say ‘we weren’t questioned’ for crucial report

A review panel on the 2021 Teesside eco-disaster is due to send its findings to ministers this week, but evidence from academics may not be given full weight

The Guardian - UK · Jan 15, 2023

Single-use plastic plates and forks set to be banned by Government in crackdown

The law will initially target takeaways with ban on single-use cutlery and polystyrene trays and follows similar measures in Scotland and Wales

Chronicle Live · Jan 14, 2023

Single-use plastic cutlery and plates set to be banned in England

The ban could come in across England by the end of the year

Wales Online · Jan 8, 2023

Post-Brexit £1,000 farming payments ‘too little, too late’, says NFU

Environmental cash incentives part of government scheme to replace EU common agricultural policy

The Guardian - UK · Jan 5, 2023

Just 224 farmers were paid under post-Brexit farming scheme last year

Exclusive: Leaked figures show tiny fraction of England’s farms received payment under sustainable farming incentive

The Guardian - UK · Jan 4, 2023

Warning to not feed birds at Caerphilly Castle after a number of swans and geese are found dead and 'sick'

The matter has been reported to the UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Wales Online · Dec 19, 2022

Government criticised for leaving overall water quality out of its environment targets

Ministers accused of only doing half their job and leaving gaps in protections

The Independent UK · Dec 16, 2022

Three arrested after protesters scale DEFRA building in central London

Three people have been arrested after animal rights protesters scaled the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) building in central London, on Thursday morning, as they sought to draw attention to the bird flu crisis and intensive farming practices.

Evening Standard · Dec 15, 2022

Single-use plastic cutlery could soon be banned in England

The proposals follow similar initiatives introduced by the Scottish and Welsh governments

Wales Online · Dec 14, 2022