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Mary Creagh
LAB✓ Current MP
🏛️ Coventry East
📅 2005–2026
1,305 speeches on Hansard record
⚠️ Votes attended: 68.48% (#344 of 643 MPs)
🟢 Rebelled against party: 1.81%
📝 Topics: Overseas Aid, Public Expenditure, Flood Control
Written Answers
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The UK Government is committed to protecting 30% of land and sea in the UK by 2030 (30by30). Progressing this target on land in England means ensuring that our most important and wildlife-rich habitats are benefiting from effective, long-term conservation and management. In October 2024 we set out…
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This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. No formal assessment of the effectiveness of the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022 in preventing unlicensed use of glue traps has been made. The Act aims to improve animal welfare by reducing the use of glue…
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The Government has confirmed that Biodiversity Net Gain will apply to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. A full consultation response and implementation timeline is expected to be published shortly.
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This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation and this included a commitment to bring an end to the use of snare traps in England. This was recently reaffirmed in the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, published in…
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Between 1 July 2024 and 25 March 2026, the Animal and Plant Health Agency issued 28 import permits for hunting trophies under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Trade data up to 2024 is available on the CITES Trade Database.
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This Government is committed to restoring and protecting nature in rural communities through delivering our legally binding biodiversity targets on species abundance, species extinction and habitat creation and restoration. The Land Use Framework (LUF) shows we have enough land to deliver all our…
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Individuals can already report illegal waste activity anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online. Local authorities are often best placed to tackle local issues such as fly-tipping, and so any single national reporting route would need to pass reports on to the relevant local authority.…
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There are a number of examples of peatland sites which have increased their wildfire resilience due to restoration across the country, including at The Roaches and Dove Stone in the Peak District. Rewetting peat takes time, and reducing burning is essential to allow sites the opportunity to…
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Local authorities already have powers to take enforcement action against littering offenders. Anyone caught littering may be prosecuted in a magistrates’ court, which can lead to a criminal record and a fine of up to £2,500 on conviction. Instead of prosecuting, local authorities may…
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Local authorities are required to report fly-tipping incidents and enforcement actions to Defra, which we publish annually at: Fly-tipping statistics for England, 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK. It covers trends in the number of fly-tipping incidents, with a breakdown by land type, waste type and size. It…
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Littering is a local issue. The role of central Government is to enable and support local action by providing a clear legal framework of rights and responsibilities and setting national standards. Local councils have legal powers to take enforcement action against littering offenders. Anyone caught…
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Defra consolidates greenhouse gas emissions. This is published in GGC annual reports. The last published report for 2021 to 2024 published here Greening Government Commitments April 2021 to March 2024 report - GOV.UK estimates in year 3, the Government’s overall emissions were 41% lower than…
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Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) consulted on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included a proposal for an updated definition of irreplaceable habitat.…
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The Waste Crime Action Plan is the toughest ever crackdown on illegal waste. We will tighten regulation to close the loopholes criminals exploit, enable tougher enforcement to disrupt and punish them, and direct action to clean up the damage they leave behind. The Environment Agency (EA) takes a…
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Defra is working closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to explore how the cessation of the Renewable Obligations Certificates scheme affects the continued operation of landfill gas to energy plants and the potential impacts of this on methane emissions and landfill…
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The Framework’s focus on more informed decision making, including spatial targeting, shows how we can meet our homes and infrastructure goals while supporting nature recovery.
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The Land Use Unit will monitor land use change in England to assess progress against the Land Use Framework’s objectives. Specific monitoring plans will be announced later this year following the set up of the Unit.
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The Land Use Framework informs decision-makers at all scales of spatial planning to identify areas to be safeguarded for agriculture or prioritised for nature, and to find the right areas for development and infrastructure. The Framework will support a more strategic approach to spatial planning,…
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The Government has been clear that food security is national security. The Framework makes a clear, long-term commitment to maintain overall food production in England while increasing resilience to climate change and to protect the most productive farmland.…
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The Land Use Framework sets out a plan for how we can use our land in a more informed and more efficient way, showing there is enough land to deliver the homes our communities need, whilst protecting and enhancing the environment. The Land Use Framework is not intended to be used as material…
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We recognise the critical importance of maintaining trees after planting to ensure they grow and thrive into the future. Under the England Woodland Creation Offer, as well as planting carried out by the Community Forests, funding is provided for establishment and maintenance costs for up to 15…
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The Government continues to progress plans to deliver nine new National River Walks across England, one in each region, to enhance access to nature. We will identify locations for the next tranche of river walks through a competition that will be launched before the end of 2026. We will give…
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The Government is committed to ensuring everyone lives within a 15-minute walk of a green or blue space. Currently 80% of people are within this range, with this figure at 78% in urban areas. We have set out how we will make access more equitable and remove barriers to access in our Environmental…
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In the last 5 years (1 January 2021 – 31 December 2025) there have been 73 notices served under Section 59 and Section 34 of Environmental Protection Act 1990. A Section 59 notice requires the removal of unlawfully deposited waste, and a Section 34 notice requires a waste holder to produce…
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YearCount of immediate custodial sentencesCount of suspended sentences202159202268202348202416162025018
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Average fine for where the incident type was waste (regardless of whether related to an illegal waste site) and where the hearing date falls in the 2020 - 2025 range. This data also includes community orders: 2021 - £113,647.962022 - £3,268.002023 - £11,226.032024 -…
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Successful prosecutions associated with illegal waste sites investigations (where the court hearing date is in the requested timeframe and the verdict is guilty): 2021 – 422022 – 482023 – 472024 – 822025 – 68 This data is subject to change as cases reach conclusion and…
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Total number of actions dated within each calendar year for records relating to illegal waste sites. Prosecution outcomes have been removed as these are provided separately in PQ 121091. 2021: 7502022: 5492023: 5742024: 3352025: 343 NB: This data is taken from a live system and maybe subject to…
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This data is not available centrally to this level of detail.
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Total number of Illegal waste sites found per calendar year split by Environment Agency area: NB: This data is taken from a live system and maybe subject to change as investigation details are updated. Environment Agency Area20212022202320242025TotalCumbria and Lancashire4034574847226Greater…
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Total tonnage of waste on illegal waste sites that were operational on or after 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2025C (inclusive) and have not been brought into regulation or cleared of waste: 5,544,462. NB: This data is taken from a live system and maybe subject to change as investigation details…
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Total number of illegal waste sites operating as of 17 March 2026: 537. NB: This data is taken from a live system and maybe subject to change as investigation details are updated.
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Total number of illegal waste sites identified per calendar year: 2021: 5832022: 5042023: 5652024: 8922025: 823 NB: This data is taken from a live system and maybe subject to change as investigation details are updated.
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Nature underpins the UK’s security, prosperity and resilience and understanding the threats we face from biodiversity loss is essential to addressing them effectively. The Nature security assessment forms part of cross-government resilience planning and complements the UK’s National…
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Defra has made no assessment of such landscape models. Defra’s revised Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) and the Land Use Framework (LUF) set out how the Government will accelerate progress towards Environment Act targets over the next five years and help tackle the challenges posed by the…
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The WEEE Compliance Fee, paid under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 by electrical producers is used to provide project funding for consumer awareness campaigns in the UK, which are managed by Material Focus and highlight the importance of proper disposal and recycling…
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The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013 are founded on the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility, which requires the producers of electrical and electronic equipment to take responsibility for the environmental impact of the products they place on the market…
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Defra is actively exploring how we can support circularity in electrical and electronic equipment; a successful transition to a Circular Economy aims to eliminate waste and promote sustainability through reuse and resource efficiency. As part of this, we recognise the importance of continued…
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Defra has not conducted a formal assessment of the potential impact of scale of electronic waste on the environment. We recognise that this is an important issue which is why electrical and electronic waste is being considered under the Circular Economy Growth Plan which we intend to publish soon.
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In December 2025, the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) published the concluding reports of its investigation into the regulation of network Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) in England. I was pleased to see recognition that work undertaken by this Government has built the foundations for…
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The Government has no plans to amend section 30 of the Countryside Act 1968 to permit equestrian use of footpaths and as such, has not assessed the potential im-pact of this change.Defra has not made a specific assessment of the administrative workload associated with upgrading footpaths to…
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The Government is committed to achieving the goals and targets adopted under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Domestically, in England, the Environmental Improvement Plan and delivery of the legally binding targets under the Environment Act form a core pillar of meeting the…
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The Government recognises the scale and impact of plastic pollution on the environment and is focused on preventing and reducing plastic and other litter entering the environment. We have a number of restrictions on unnecessary single use plastic products, and we will continue to review the latest…
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The Department is taking action to improve the condition and long-term management of protected nature sites, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). We have set an interim target in the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 (EIP25) for 50% of SSSI features to have actions on track to…
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Defra has supported Lincolnshire in preparing its Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which is expected to be published shortly. This strategy will set nature recovery priorities and map specific proposals for habitat creation and improvement that will support many species, such as hares. Nationally,…
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The department has supported West Sussex County Council in preparing its Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which is expected to be published shortly. This strategy will set nature‑recovery priorities and map specific proposals for habitat creation and improvement that will support many species,…
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The Government considers the need for a close season for hares to be justified primarily on the grounds of animal welfare. It committed to consider how to bring forward and introduce a close season for hares in England in its Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025. In short, a close…
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This data is not held centrally.
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Local authorities in England are required to report fly-tipping incidents, including fly-tipping incidents by land type to Defra, which are published annually here. Defra has published guidance for local authorities to support them to improve the quality of their data collection and reporting. This…
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This Government is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy where resources are kept in use for longer and waste is designed out. This systemic change, with investment in green jobs and vital infrastructure, builds a path to economic growth, progress towards Net Zero, restoration of…
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This question has been interpreted as whether Defra will make an economic and environmental impact assessment on peat-free alternatives in growing media. This Government is committed to protecting our nature-rich habitats, including peat bogs and to this end, the Government has pledged to legislate…
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Electric vehicle (EV) batteries are classed as industrial batteries under the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, which requires producers of industrial batteries to offer free take back upon request from end users. The Office of Product Safety and Standards is the regulator for…
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The Government is clear that nature and development can go hand in hand.The Land Use Framework shows we have enough land to achieve our priorities if we make better decisions about how we use it. We can restore nature and meet our housing and clean energy targets.
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I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 18 March 2026 to PQ UIN 119681.
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In the Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025, the Government committed to ban the use of snares in England and conduct a review of other traps used to catch wildlife in England for which welfare concerns have been raised. The Animal and Plant Health Agency has already been…
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This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation and this included a commitment to bring an end to the use of snare traps in England. This was recently reaffirmed in the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, published in…
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This Government is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy where resources are kept in use for longer and waste is designed out. This systemic change, with investment in green jobs and vital infrastructure, builds a path to economic growth, progress towards Net Zero, restoration of…
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This Government is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy where resources are kept in use for longer and waste is designed out. This systemic change, with investment in green jobs and vital infrastructure, builds a path to economic growth, progress towards Net Zero, restoration of…
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I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 26 February to the hon. Member for Bristol Central, PQ UIN 114247.
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The Government is committed to banning the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. The department continues to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure that we can implement a robust ban. Timeframes for introducing legislation will be provided once the…
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To support local councils to make good use of their fixed penalty powers for littering the Government has laid new Statutory Guidance, “Litter enforcement powers: when and how to use them” in Parliament. Local councils will need to have regard to this guidance when using their powers.…
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No assessment has been made of the contribution of littering from vehicles to roadside litter. Local councils have legal powers to take enforcement action against offenders who litter from vehicles. Anyone caught littering from a vehicle may be prosecuted in a magistrates’ court, which…
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This is determined by various legislation and the National Planning Policy Framework.
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Any monitoring requirement would depend on the nature of both the development and the wetland’s protected status.
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Natural England assesses all available information on both impacts and mitigation and uses professional judgement and scientific expertise to provide advice to decision-makers.
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Post-construction monitoring or compensation measures are secured by the local planning authority through mechanisms such as conditions. Natural England has a programme of SSSI monitoring through feature assessments and the results are available on Designated Sites View.
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The Government intends to publish the biodiversity net gain impact assessment for nationally significant infrastructure projects soon.
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The Government recognises the scale and impact of plastic pollution on the environment and is focused on preventing and reducing plastic and other litter entering the environment. We have a number of restrictions on unnecessary single use plastic products, and we will continue to review the latest…
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Wildfire is a devolved issue. Whilst Defra works closely with the National Fire Chiefs Council there are no plans to meet with them to discuss the Scottish Government’s Strategic Action Plan on Wildfires.
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The Nature security assessment was published on GOV.UK on 20 January. It is a cross-government strategic analysis designed to help the Government plan for potential shocks that are credible enough to warrant preparation. This approach ensures the UK is better equipped to anticipate and manage risks…
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The Nature security assessment forms part of routine cross-government resilience planning and complements the UK’s National Security Strategy, National Risk Register and Chronic Risk Analysis. Climate change and nature loss act as risk multipliers, increasing pressures on food systems, water…
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No Heather and Grass Burning Licences have yet been granted in the 2025-2026 burning season. Whilst a number of the applications we have received have been determined, others are still being processed. Both Heather and Grass Burning, and wildfire are devolved matters.
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58% of the food that is wasted in the UK is wasted in our homes, almost three quarters of which (73%) is edible. This food has a value of around £17 billion, which is around £80 per month or £1,000 per year for the average family with children. This Government is committed to moving…
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The Government is seeking powers in the Crime and Policing Bill to provide statutory enforcement guidance to support councils make full and proper use of their fly-tipping enforcement powers. Defra has published best practice guidance and case studies on the website of the National Fly-Tipping…
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The ‘Litter enforcement powers – when and how to use them’ states that in no circumstances should enforcement be considered a means to raise revenue. In addition, it is crucial that councils are transparent about why a fixed penalty has been issued and they must be satisfied…
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The Government does not hold this data.
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Local councils already have legal powers to issue a fixed penalty (on-the-spot fine) of up to £500 for littering offences.
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The Government has not made an assessment on the number of fixed penalty notices expected to be issued annually under the revised litter enforcement guidance.
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The first Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) have been prioritised for designated sites where nutrient neutrality advice applies on the basis that it is a known environmental pressure where strategic solutions already exist. Wolborough Fen SSSI is not a designated site which nutrient neutrality…
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The protection of Sites of Special Scientific Interest, including those that are hydrologically sensitive is governed principally by section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and paragraph 193(b) of the National Planning Policy Framework.
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In 2022, Defra initiated a research proposal to investigate the risks of intentionally added microplastics. The evidence project reviewed their emissions, the risks they pose both to human health and the environment, and included a socio-economic assessment of different policy options, including…
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The department is aware from ongoing discussions with industry that the reported costs of battery fires in waste centres are significant, and this is a major concern. Defra is currently considering options for reforms of the batteries regulations that would help to address this issue, and as part…
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The Nature security assessment forms part of routine cross-government resilience planning and complements the UK’s National Security Strategy, National Risk Register and Chronic Risk Analysis. Climate change and nature loss act as risk multipliers, increasing pressures on food systems, water…
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The fly-tipping statistics for England show that local authorities’ enforcement activity has increased in 2024/25 by 8% over 2023/24.
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Defra has not carried out a formal assessment of the potential impact on the environment of lithium-ion battery-related fires recorded between 2023 and 2024. Battery-related fire incidents are a significant concern, and we remain engaged with wider Government and with industry, including waste…
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The Defra Infrastructure Board formally launched, as recommended in the Corry review, in September 2025 and has been meeting regularly since. Membership consists of seniors across Defra Group and other Government departments, including the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and…
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Defra is committed to delivering legally binding biodiversity targets including halting the decline in species abundance by 2030, reversing declines by at least 10% by 2042 compared with 2030, and reducing risk of national species extinction by 2042. The composite indicator we use to measure…
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Government works with the cultural and heritage sector through the National Adaptation Programme to understand and address the impacts of climate change on the UK’s cultural heritage, including supporting heritage sites to assess physical risks such as flooding, coastal erosion and…
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We are committed to ending the throwaway society, boosting recycling rates which have stalled for too long, and driving growth through the Government’s Plan for Change. There are no current plans to review regulations that restrict insects from being used to process organic waste streams. Our…
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The UK recognises the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation. The Government is carefully considering the best regulatory approach to address deforestation in UK supply chains; we will set out this approach in due course. We…
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We recognise the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation. We also recognise that this sense of urgency and need for clarity is shared by business. This Government believes it is at its best when it works in partnership with…
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Whilst no assessment has been made of the merits of prohibiting overseas hunting trips, the Government is committed to banning the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. The Department continues to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure that we can implement a robust…
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The Deer Impacts Policy Statement does not state that mandatory training is required for deer managers. It outlines that Defra will work with the Home Office and National Police Chief’s Council to explore whether the Guide on Firearms Licensing Law could be amended to encourage police forces…
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Local authorities in England are required to report fly-tipping incidents and enforcement action, such as prosecutions, to Defra, which the department has published annually since 2012, at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fly-tipping-in-england. The data covers trends in the number of…
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Local authorities in England are required to report fly-tipping incidents and enforcement action, such as prosecutions, to Defra, which the department have published annually since 2012, at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fly-tipping-in-england. Defra does not hold data that allows for…
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The Government is taking action to prevent household waste being fly-tipped by supporting local authorities to make good use of their enforcement powers. Local authorities have powers to take enforcement action against offenders. Anyone caught fly-tipping may be prosecuted which can lead to a…
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The Government is taking action to clamp down on rogue waste operators by moving the regulation of waste management and transport from a light-touch registration system into environmental permitting. This will introduce tougher background checks for operators and tougher penalties for those who…
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Defra co-funded a 2024 report on Assessing the Materiality of Nature-Related Financial Risks for the UK, led by the Green Finance Institute working with academic partners. The report found that environmental degradation could lead to a potential reduction in GDP of around 3% and, in certain…
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The Government is committed to banning the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern, which is the most effective approach the Government can take on this matter. The Department continues to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure that we can implement a robust ban.…
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The Government is committed to banning the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern, which is the most effective approach the Government can take on this matter. The Department continues to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure that we can implement a robust ban.…
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Local authorities with a transitional arrangement are listed in the commencement regulations with the date by which they must introduce food waste collections from households. These were applied where long-term waste disposal (mechanical biological treatment and energy from waste) contracts present…
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There are no re-tread tyres procured for Defra Group-operated heavy goods fleets. Defra Group operates 33 heavy goods vehicles. Three of these vehicles are fitted with re-tread tyres; however, there are only eight re-tread tyres on these vehicles. These tyres are being phased out upon need of…
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and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030 while supporting sustainable development. The UK helped lay the foundation for the 2030 forest commitment through our own COP26 Presidency, including by rallying over 140 partners behind the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and…
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Essex has a wealth of wildlife and holds a wide variety of nature-rich habitats, including some that are unique to this part of England. As one of 48 Responsible Authorities appointed by the Secretary of State, Essex County Council published its Local Nature Recovery Strategy in July 2025. These…
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The “current spending period” is taken to mean the 2025/26 financial year. The Environment Agency (EA) was allocated several funds in 2025/26 that directly contribute to the restoration of river and coastal habitats: £10.9 million Water Environment Improvement Fund (WEIF)£3.3…
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We have a statutory habitat target which include rivers and coastal habitats, but no sub-targets for habitat types. The revised Environmental Improvement Plan includes prioritised actions to deliver our goals and the ambitious Environment Act targets. It included a commitment to increase saltmarsh…
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I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cannock Chase on 25 April 2025, PQ UIN 47856.
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Defra published the Final Impact Assessment on DRS, including its assessment of impact on retailers, for England and Northern Ireland in 2024. This can be found at: The Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2024.
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The regulations set out rules requiring all grocery retailers that sell drinks that are included in the scheme to host a return point, unless they qualify for an exemption. Retailers, including those in rural communities, will be able to apply to the deposit management organisation, Exchange…
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Local authorities have powers to take enforcement action against offenders. Anyone caught fly-tipping may be prosecuted which can lead to a significant fine, a community sentence or even imprisonment. We encourage and support councils to make good use of their enforcement powers. For example, we…
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The Secretary of State has not made a recent assessment. Local authorities have powers to take enforcement action against offenders. Anyone caught fly-tipping may be prosecuted which can lead to a significant fine, a community sentence or even imprisonment. Instead of prosecuting, local authorities…
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Defra publish fly-tipping statistics for England annually. A detailed breakdown of the latest incidents reported by local authorities is available at: Fly-tipping statistics for England, 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK This statistical notice provides statistics on fly-tipping incidents recorded by local…
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The Secretary of State has not had recent direct discussions with local authorities in Slough or Berkshire on fly-tipping enforcement. Defra chairs the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group (NFTPG), through which we work with a wide range of interested parties such as local councils, the…
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No assessment has been made of the code of practice. Councils and others have powers to tackle persistent, unreasonable behaviour that is having a negative effect on a community’s quality of life. They can issue Community Protection Notices which can be used to require the owner of premises,…
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The Government recognises well-managed gamebird shooting can be an important part of a local rural economy, providing direct and indirect employment. It also appreciates that many people hold strong views on the issue of gamebird shooting and there is evidence to suggest a link between it and…
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Defra does not hold official data on the number of prosecutions that have been brought in relation to offences involving the persecution of birds of prey. The Ministry of Justice does publish data on prosecutions for a wide range of offences, including offences relating to birds under the Wildlife…
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The Government's initial focus for EDPs is nutrient pollution, with Natural England currently exploring their development for a number of specific catchments. A list of EDPs currently being prepared by Natural England, and the areas they may cover, was published on 22 December 2025. Wolborough Fen…
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The Government takes crimes against wildlife seriously, including those involving the use of catapults, in Slough or anywhere else in the country. Although catapults are not listed as prohibited weapons in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, within this and other legislation there are a range of…
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Defra is the lead Government department for waste policy, including that relating to landfill sites, both former and current. Responsibility for abandoned landfill sites at any given point in time is determined on a case-by-case basis.
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It is a long-standing convention that meetings between ministers and their officials to discuss matters of policy are not separately reported.
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Policy officials and I met with representatives from the National Fire Chiefs Council (the NFCC) and Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) in June 2025, to discuss concerns raised in their consultation response. The officials present were those responsible for the heather and grass burning licensing…
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The redactions made to Natural England’s response to EIR2026/00223, were applied because the material contained third-party personal data, which is exempt from disclosure under the Environmental Information Regulations. In addition, some material was outside the scope of the requestor’s…
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The Government plans to legislate for a ban on the sale of peat and peat containing products when parliamentary time allows. This commitment is embedded within our Carbon Budget planning and, most recently, reflected in the recently published Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP). The need to work…
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Defra’s Regulatory Landscape Review, led by Dan Corry, was published in April 2025. As part of our work to implement its recommendations, we will soon publish Strategic Policy Statements for Natural England and the Environment Agency. These will set out expectations for their contribution…
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The department has no plans to review legislative frameworks governing commons management in protected landscapes.
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Minister Creagh visited Dartmoor National Park in April 2025 to hear about the work of the National Park Authority. Defra also has annual review meetings with each National Park Authority, including Dartmoor, to look at delivery and management of National Park outcomes.
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Since leaving the EU, live animal movements between zoos have continued in line with the EU’s importation requirements for Third Countries. Defra continues to work closely with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), to address immediate challenges to the cross-border…
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The Secretary of State has not had discussions with counterparts in the European Union regarding regulatory alignment on battery passports for electric vehicles. Defra is currently reviewing the producer responsibility legislation for batteries. This review will explore potential alignment with the…
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Natural England (NE) is a statutory consultee under the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 in respect of development that is within, or likely to affect, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. There is no statutory requirement for NE to publish its…
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The Nature security assessment forms part of routine cross-government resilience planning. It complements the UK’s National Security Strategy, National Risk Register and Chronic Risk Analysis. Nature underpins our security, prosperity, and resilience. Climate and nature loss act as risk…
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Moorland areas contain a wide variety of habitats and species of importance. We are committed, through grant programmes such as Landscape Recovery, Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL), to creating a network of…
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The England and UK Biodiversity Indicators are published annually and the latest annual update (England) was published on 2 December 2025. Figures on the condition and extent of protected areas and trends since 2016 can be found here while those those for species can be found here. On 22 January…
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The Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 sets out an interim target for 50% of SSSI features to have actions on track by 2030, alongside a long‑term ambition for 75% of protected sites to be in favourable condition by 2042. The 50% of actions on track interim target will actively help improve…
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We are committed to delivering our statutory biodiversity targets which will support the recovery and conservation of wild bird populations. At a local level Defra Group has supported the West Midlands Combined Authority to prepare their Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which was published in…
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To determine the total number of items of correspondence (including letters and emails) between Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council and Defra would incur disproportionate cost. I am able to say that six letters from the Leader or Chief Executive of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council concerning…
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Under the ‘Tackling Food Surplus at the Farm Gate’ scheme, the Government has allocated grants totalling £13.5 million to 11 charities across England. This will help them to redistribute surplus produce from farms and into the charitable sector to provide a discounted or free food…
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The outcomes of environmental regulation are monitored by independent scrutiny bodies, including the Office for Environmental Protection and the National Audit Office. Defra and its regulators review the effectiveness of their regulatory activity, supported by periodic external reviews and…
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This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation and this included a commitment to bring an end to the use of snare traps in England. This was recently reaffirmed in the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, published in…
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Defra is working on a review of the Government Buying Standards which set out how Government procurement can take account of environmental and social impacts whilst ensuring value for money. This review considers the lifecycle impacts of fleet vehicles, including measures to reduce waste and raw…
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The Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security was published on GOV.UK on 20 January. The Assessment forms part of wider efforts to strengthen resilience to chronic environmental risks, alongside the National Security Strategy (2025), National…
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We are committed to delivering our statutory biodiversity targets which will support the recovery and conservation of native wild birds. Nationally, Government actions to restore and create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat by 2042, along with projects funded through Natural…
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We are reviewing the Greening Government Commitments to ensure that they remain aligned with Government priorities, including on the use of AI. Departments are expected to continue to take action to reduce their impact on the environment.
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Bird of prey persecution is a national wildlife crime priority and there are strong penalties in place for offences committed against them. Restrictions on the commercial use or trade of birds of prey are in place under the UK Wildlife Trade Regulations. Where any wild falcon is taken and traded…
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The Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security was published on GOV.UK on 20 January. This assessment forms part of routine cross-government resilience planning and aligns with the UK’s National Security Strategy.
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The Government has announced its intention to introduce changes to biodiversity net gain (BNG), including a new area-based exemption set at 0.2 hectares. Full details will be set out in the consultation response to be published shortly. BNG applies to planning permission in England granted under…
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Guidance to assist touring musicians in complying with CITES requirements is available at www.gov.uk/guidance/cites-imports-and-exports. Specific queries can be directed to the APHA CITES team Wildlife Licensing mailbox (wildlife.licensing@apha.gov.uk) or by calling the APHA enquiries line (03000…
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The Government recently undertook a public consultation on potential reforms to the UK CITES regulatory framework and the music industry’s feedback was considered in detail as part of the Government’s response. There are currently no further plans to review the operation of Musical…
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No recent assessment has been made of the potential impact of CITES regulations on musicians travelling internationally with instruments containing protected materials. However, Defra and its agencies regularly engage with representatives of the music sector on the implementation of CITES…
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The Environment Agency (EA) is yet to suspend or issue a prohibition (stop) notice on any exporters or brokers who have failed to provide post shipment information. It has issued 14 warnings on exporters who have failed to provide the required information and is closely monitoring the returns. The…
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Of the 50 approved receiving sites, the Environment Agency (EA) has post shipment information outstanding beyond the eight-week deadline from 16 sites. Exporters have informed the EA that shipments are not arriving at the intended destination within eight weeks' notice period which is why the…
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The Environment Agency (EA) is yet to remove sites from its acknowledged list to prevent them from receiving future consignments. At this point there is no evidence to show that any receiving sites are deliberately not supplying the information needed to exporter which would be grounds for their…
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Reducing the amount of biodegradable waste being sent to landfill has a key part to play in tackling climate change. In February 2025, Defra published a summary of responses to the call for evidence on the near elimination of biodegradable municipal waste to landfill from 2028. We are developing…
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The Ministerial meeting returns found on GOV.UK note these occasions and the topics.
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Following consultations in 2019 and 2021, an extensive review of evidence was carried out in addition to engagement with industry stakeholders which informed our decision to exclude glass drinks containers from the Deposit Return Scheme. Glass drinks containers are included in the…
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The Government oversees policy and legislation with respect to the safe management of waste and litter as well as the protection of drains and sewers. This however does not extend to compelling or explicitly encouraging local authorities with regard to types of waste receptacles or their placement.…
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Defra does not collect data relating to the volume of waste generated by devices made redundant due to software upgrades and only holds data relating to the Government’s own Information and Communication Technology devices. This Government is committed to transitioning towards a Circular…
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There have been no recent ministerial‑level discussions with Eurostar on the carriage of musical instruments on cross‑border services. However, the Government, including UK Border Force officials, regularly reviews the feasibility of potential UK CITES Points of Entry and Exit,…
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There have been no recent ministerial‑level discussions with representatives of the music sector on delays at UK ports arising from the inspection of CITES‑regulated instruments. Defra and its agencies regularly discuss the implementation of CITES requirements with representatives of…
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Defra’s Darwin Plus programme has invested more than £64 million across nearly 400 environmental projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories since 2012. These include projects to increase the Territories’ resilience by responding to, mitigating and adapting to climate change…
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Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA), businesses are prohibited from misleading consumers and must have evidence to substantiate any claims made. Where a business markets a product as made from ocean plastic or beach clean materials, but either does so falsely, or…
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Defra, Natural England, and Environment Agency are working closely with our Great Fen partners to look at the benefits of paludiculture (wetter farming) and trialling a range of diversification options. This is vital to enable thriving and sustainable rural businesses, protection of our precious…
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Simpler Recycling came into force on 31 March 2025 requiring all workplaces in England with more than 10 full-time employees to separate their waste before collection, including any waste produced by employees, customers and visitors. This includes dry recyclable materials (i.e. plastic, metal,…
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The Western Forest was launched on 21 March 2025 and is in its first tree-planting season. This runs between October and April. Monitoring will commence after this period. Consistent with Defra’s tree planting grants it will provide annual payments for up to 15 years after planting to support…
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Decisions on when and how Natural England (NE) staff respond to wildfire on land they manage are made by NE, and are dependent on the size of the fire, the training and equipment staff on site can access, and advice from the local Fire and Rescue Service. Defra has not issued any direct guidelines…
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This Government is committed to tackling waste crime from the fly-tippers who blight our towns and villages to the serious and organised crime groups who are exploiting the waste sector. We are making policy and regulatory reforms to close loopholes exploited by criminals and have…
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Of the 3442 annex VII documents referenced (now revised to 3281 following further data assurance) 1,891 have reached the eight-week deadline. Annex VII forms submitted after the 15 December 2025 are not yet due. Of these 1891, 1,370 have not been returned with the post-shipment information…
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Of the 1,891 pre-shipment Annex VII forms referenced, 1,370 were not returned with the arrival information within the eight-week deadline. Exporters have reported delays arising from customs processes, onward collection from ports and transport issues following arrival in India.…
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Biodiversity net gain (BNG) applies to every planning permission in England granted under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, unless exempted. The Government has announced plans to remove BNG requirements for sites under 0.2 hectares, and that BNG will apply to Nationally Significant…
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This data has been held since July 2023 when CITES licencing moved to a new licencing system (“Pegasus”). A breakdown of the Musical Instrument Certificate applications being processed as of 31 December each year is provided below: YearMusical Instrument Certificate applications being…
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This data has been held since July 2023 when CITES licencing moved to a new licencing system (“Pegasus”). An annual breakdown is provided below: YearNumber of MICs issuedMean working days to issueMedian working days to issue20231319.42020242737.22120252020.6192026425.520.5 The data…
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The OCEAN Grants Programme has been designed to ensure that Gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) is at its heart. OCEAN's approach goes beyond gender equality alone to include disability and wider social inclusion, explicitly covering marginalised groups and Indigenous Peoples…
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Through Round One and Two, approximately 20% (£4,905,878) of OCEAN Grants Programme funding is expected to be provided in direct financial support to local NGOs, Civil Society Organisations and other in-country non-profit organisations working closely with communities.
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The following projects have been funded under Round Two of the OCEAN Grants Programme. Funding comes from Defra’s Official Development Assistance budget and is projected to be spent between January 2026 and March 2029. The Round Two projects with signed grant agreements have been awarded the…
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Defra has conducted a review of council powers to seize and crush vehicles used by suspected fly-tippers, and we are working to identify how we could help councils make better use of this tool. Defra is exploring options and intend to bring forward best practice guidance shortly.
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All applications to the OCEAN Grants Programme are assessed against publicly available Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) assessment criteria. This assessment is conducted by an external Expert Committee and a GEDSI specialist to ensure applications demonstrate how they will…
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All recipients of OCEAN Grants are required to agree outcomes and to monitor and report on progress including of proposed environmental benefits, throughout the grant lifecycle. During the application phase, proposed outcomes and the indicators used to measure progress are agreed and assessed by an…
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This Government is committed to tackling waste crime from the fly-tippers who blight our towns and villages to the serious and organised crime groups who are exploiting the waste sector. Those responsible for committing waste crime, rather than taxpayers, should cover the cost of…
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Waste is a devolved matter and the information provided in this answer is for England only. The Environment Agency (EA) focuses on tackling large-scale waste crime in England, often linked to organised criminal activity while fly-tipping is managed by local authorities. The EA has no estimate of…
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OCEAN Round 2 projects remain subject to final due diligence. The finalised list of projects, along with the countries in which OCEAN works, will be made available on the OCEAN website in due course.
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The funding awarded for the ‘Illuminar el Mar’ project in Ecuador through the UK’s OCEAN Grants Programme will support research applicable to fishing in UK waters. In partnership with University College London, the project will use low-cost LED bycatch-reduction technology that…
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This Government is committed to tackling waste crime from the fly-tippers who blight our towns and villages to the serious and organised crime groups who are exploiting the waste sector. Defra is making policy and regulatory reforms to close loopholes exploited by criminals and have increased the…
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Under the UK Climate Change Act 2008, the Government must complete a Climate Change Risk Assessment every five years, followed by a National Adaptation Programme outlining how identified risks will be addressed. The fourth Climate Change Risk Assessment will be published in 2027, informed by the…
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Defra does not maintain a list of businesses that export waste from the UK. Any exporter that is not the original waste producer must be registered as a waste broker or dealer. Details of registered brokers and dealers in England can be found on the public register, available at:…
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We are committed to delivering our statutory biodiversity targets which will support the recovery and conservation of native wild birds. Nationally, government actions to restore and create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat by 2042, along with projects funded through Natural…
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We are committed to delivering our statutory biodiversity targets which will support the recovery and conservation of native wild birds. At a local level, Defra has supported Somerset Council in preparing its Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which also covers the Yeovil constituency. Publication is…
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We recognise the environmental, economic and social benefits of preventing food waste and redistributing surplus food to organisations who can use it. Redistribution is second only to prevention in Defra’s Food and Drink Waste Hierarchy, which includes the expectation that all businesses…
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This Government is making the necessary policy and regulatory reforms to close the loopholes being exploited by waste criminals. Key reforms include carrier, broker, dealer reform, waste permit exemption reform and the introduction of digital waste tracking. Defra believes these reforms are the…
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Defra has no plans to re-establish the Advisory Committee on Packaging in its previous form. However, as part of the forthcoming consultation on Packaging Waste Recycling Note (PRN) reforms, the department will be seeking views on how best to bring together stakeholders including industry,…
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Defra has considered the potential impact of the bird shooting industry in a range of ways. In 2020, Defra considered the ecological impact of gamebird release and commissioned an assessment, as well as identifying evidence gaps for further work. In 2021, Defra launched a three-year Gamebird…
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Hen harriers are monitored year-round by Natural England (NE) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. NE staff engage closely with land managers of hen harrier habitat, and in the breeding season support the licenced use of Diversionary Feeding which enables nesting hen harriers to…
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Defra is continuing to engage with relevant stakeholders to help determine the most appropriate scope for a ban on the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. Timeframes for introducing legislation and details of its scope will be provided once the Parliamentary timetable…
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The number of breeding hen harriers is assessed annually by Natural England in partnership with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Summaries of these figures are published as blogs via Natural England’s .gov blog page. Assessments of the number of breeding hen harriers from…
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Using the Responsible Sourcing Scheme for Growing Media methodology to assess the environmental impact of different types of growing media, it has been shown that all materials have an environmental impact, but for the most part, peat-alternatives have a lower environmental impact. We have funded…
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The UK Government is committed to protecting 30% of land and sea in the UK by 2030 (30by30). Progressing this target on land in England means ensuring that our most important and wildlife-rich habitats are benefiting from effective, long-term conservation and management. In October 2024 we set out…
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Natural England has not enacted any byelaws under section 28R since the provision’s introduction in 2001. A set of Model SSSI Byelaws for this purpose was agreed with Defra in 2020 and was published by Natural England at https://consult.defra.gov.uk/natural-england/byelaws-for-sssis/.
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Defra does not currently have plans to bring forward legislative proposals to set a target for the reduction of the use of single-use plastic. This Government is committed to moving to a circular economy and will publish a Circular Economy Growth Plan that sets out how government will deliver a…
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Defra keeps the impacts of peat extraction for horticulture under review as part of its peatland evidence programme. Peat extraction in England is estimated to take place over approximately 384 hectares, with associated greenhouse gas emissions estimated to be less than 0.05 million tonnes of…
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As set out in Natural England’s evidence review NEER155, protecting and restoring blanket bog supports natural water regulation by increasing water storage, slowing runoff and sustaining baseflows, contributing to improved flood resilience and helping to mitigate drought impacts during…
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Marine conservation delivers a wide range of benefits. These include reducing global biodiversity loss and preventing ecosystem collapse, systems that are vital for global security and economic growth in the UK and in developing countries. Some of the world’s most biodiverse and vulnerable…
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All recipients of Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature Grants must agree outcomes and monitor and report on progress towards them throughout the grant lifecycle. During the application phase, proposed outcomes and the indicators used to measure progress are agreed. These are assessed by an…
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