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The Latest Breaking News from Defra

Ex-NFU chief who said tractor tax will ‘wipe out family farms’ hired to lead government review into UK farming

The government has hired Baroness Minette Batters after months of protests and discontent over the so-called ‘tractor tax’

The Independent UK

Government pushes reforms of ‘green tape’ in bid to boost growth and nature

Review says current system of environmental regulations not working, but conservationists warn of ‘high risk’ to nature in planning reforms.

The Independent UK

New recycling rules for every household in England to include extra bin

All households will have to separate paper and card from glass, metal and plastic beginning March 2026

The Independent UK

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XL bully owner savaged in garden by dog hits out at breed ban after more than 20,000 attacks last year

Exclusive: Figures obtained show more than 23,000 dog attacks across England and Wales despite the ban on XL bully dogs last year

The Independent UK

New ‘national forest’ plans for west of England unveiled

The Western Forest will create thousands of acres of woodlands and tree cover by 2030, with plans to plant 20 million trees by 2050.

Evening Standard

First new national forest in 30 years to be planted in west of England

The Western Forest will see 20 million trees planted by 2050

The Independent UK

Watchdog investigating whether Defra breaking laws on cleaning up English rivers

Office for Environmental Protection says targets for water quality likely to be missed, and clarifying rules may help

The Guardian - UK

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Steve Reed branded ‘Where’s Wally’ as he is accused of ‘ducking scrutiny’

The Environment Secretary also failed to guarantee that his budget won’t see further cuts, ahead of the Chancellor’s spring statement next week.

Evening Standard

‘Polygamous working’ civil servant held multiple jobs, UK investigation finds

National Fraud Initiative report for Cabinet Office identified Defra employee also being paid by DHSC for full-time role

The Guardian - UK

Richest farmers in England may lose sustainability funding in Defra review

Exclusive: Officials explore restricting incentive to allocate greater funds to farms with less money and more nature

The Guardian - UK

Starmer accused of ‘holding farmers in contempt’ after axing post-Brexit payment

Fury has erupted after an incentive for farmers is cancelled following the ongoing row over the tractor tax on inheritance

The Independent UK

Fury as Defra closes key nature-friendly farming scheme to new applicants

The abrupt move is described as ‘another shattering blow’ to the sector, which is already at loggerheads with Government.

Evening Standard

Ditches and canals are a big, yet overlooked, source of greenhouse gas emissions – new study

It’s a cold winter morning in the bleak and bare arable fields of the East Anglian fens. At the edge of a field, a scientist dips a long pole into a ditch. So, what is a climate researcher doing here?

The Conversation

‘Slavish’ catch limits ignored scientific advice, say conservationists in case against Defra

Blue Marine Foundation charity asks high court to declare quota decision unlawful amid concern over sustainability of fish stocks

The Guardian - UK

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The Guardian - UK

Promise to phase out lead from UK game shooting has failed, study finds

Vow in 2020 aimed to keep shot out of human food chain but study finds most game carcasses still contain lead

Evening Standard

Government went against scientific advice in setting fishing quotas, court told

Blue Marine Foundation is bringing legal action saying the quotas contribute to a long-term decline in fish stocks and fishers’ employment.

Evening Standard

Government says it will not ‘water down’ single malt whisky definition

Scotch whisky producers said an application by Defra for protected status for English single malt would be ‘very damaging’ for the Scottish industry.

The Guardian - UK

Farmers worried if they will make it to 2026 amid ‘cashflow crisis’, says NFU

Union conference dominated by row over planned inheritance tax changes as farmers battle the bad weather and turbulent geopolitics

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Evening Standard

English malt plans could be ‘devastating’ for Scotch whisky, Gougeon warns

The Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary is to raise concerns over a proposed definition of English single malt with UK ministers.

The Independent UK

Warning over ‘devastating’ plans that could change Scotch whisky forever

Mairi Gourgon described Scotch whisky as ‘one of our greatest exports’ as she pledged to raise the issue with Defra

The Fashion Central

Keir Starmer’s government caught at the centre of another corruption scandal

A new controversy has erupted as the UK government faces renewed accusations of manipulating science to justify the mass killing of badgers.

The Guardian - UK

Habitat banks: how law to boost wildlife in England is faring one year in

Developers must now offset damage to nature by achieving a 10% biodiversity net gain – but is buying up pockets of land and rewilding them the answer?

The Guardian - UK

Thames Water chairman accused of conflict of interest over £37m share dividend payment

Defra officials concerned about ‘conflicted position’ of Sir Adrian Montague over dual role chairing holding company

The Independent UK

Dangerous meat could appear in UK’s supermarkets, Tories warn

Shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins urged the Government to adequately fund food security checks at Dover port.

The Independent UK

Scheme for developers to boost nature ‘failing’ in first year, campaigners warn

The amount of land delivering ‘biodiversity net gain’ linked to developments is falling well short of expectations, research suggests.

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