The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced a package of environmental planning reforms, implementing recommendations from Dan Corry's independent review of Defra's regulatory framework. A key measure is the introduction of a Lead Environmental Regulator model—first being piloted on the Lower Thames Crossing project, a new road crossing connecting Kent, Thurrock and Essex. Natural England will serve as Lead Environmental Regulator for the project, collaborating with the Environment Agency and the Marine Management Organisation. The reforms also establish a Defra Group Infrastructure Board to oversee and expedite the planning process for 50 major infrastructure projects, including Hinkley Point C, East West Rail and Heathrow expansion, as well as renewable energy projects critical to meeting the 2030 clean power mission, such as offshore wind and solar farms and electricity transmission lines. The Board will not pre-empt or influence the consenting process, which remains the responsibility of the Planning Inspectorate. Backed by £500m, the reforms also include funding for the Nature Restoration and Marine Recovery Fund schemes and resources to build capacity within the planning system. The overall aim is to accelerate planning processes for infrastructure and housing delivery while maintaining environmental protections.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced an extension to the current scope of Agricultural Property Relief. The extended scope will include all environmental land management schemes in the UK, encompassing the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Countryside Stewardship (and other stewardship schemes) and Landscape Recovery, as well as the England Woodland Creation Offer and other schemes that are similar from 6 April 2025. Landowners and farmers participating in such schemes will be eligible for Agricultural Property Relief and exempt from relevant inheritance tax. Agricultural Property Relief will also be available for land managed under an environmental agreement with, or on behalf of, the UK government, devolved administrations, public bodies, local authorities or approved responsible bodies. The extension also removes a significant barrier to tenant farmers and landlords working together to enter schemes by removing the risk that tenants’ participation in schemes would change whether the land is eligible for Agricultural Property Relief.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced an investment of £180m over the next 12 months to help an estimated 8000 sewage spills polluting English waterways. The funding will be used to introduce new AI systems to help manage storm loads, the installation of thousands of new in-sewer monitors to check the flow of sewage and spot blockages early and also the recruitment and training of specialist staff. These new improvements are set to be delivered by April 2025, supporting the government’s Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner, signed the G20 Agricultural Declaration at the G20 Agriculture Ministers’ meeting in Brazil. This Declaration seeks to support and promote sustainable agriculture and food security, affirming the government’s commitment to sustainable agri-food systems. It also encourages the implementation of global sustainable agricultural practices, including measures aimed at halting and reversing deforestation.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced the model forecast’s 2024 prediction of the incidence level for pests. In January 2024, Defra set an incidence level threshold of 65%, above which neonicotinoid pesticide will be permitted for use. The 2024 model’s forecast has predicted an incidence level of 83%, meaning growers who have placed orders for sugar beet seed for this year's crop will receive it from the British Sugar once it has been treated with the pesticide Cruiser SB.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced the outcome of annual fishing negotiations with the EU, securing 150,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities for the UK industry in 2025, an increase of 15,000-tonnes from 2024. Combined with other agreements, including the trilateral deal with the EU and Norway, the total fishing opportunities for the UK fleet in 2025 amount to 720,000 tonnes, worth up to £890m. Additional arrangements include the establishment of catch limits for approximately 70 total allowable catches, rolled-over access arrangements for non-quota stocks in EU waters, and increased catch limits for seabass.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced changes introduced by the Environmental Offences (Fixed Penalties) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2026, SI 2026/816, which will increase the maximum fixed penalty for fly-tipping from £1,000 to £5,000 and for littering from £500 to £750. Local authorities will retain discretion to set fines within the applicable minimum and maximum thresholds. The changes will come into force from 1 September 2026.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced the launch of PackUK, the scheme administrator for the UK's extended producer responsibility for packaging (pEPR). PackUK will implement the ‘polluter pays’ principle, shifting the cost of managing household packaging waste from taxpayers and local authorities to the businesses that use and supply packaging. PackUK (known as PecynUK in Wales) will be responsible for setting and collecting pEPR fees from obligated producers and making packaging waste disposal payments to local authorities in return for improved collection and recycling services. The pEPR scheme is expected to generate over £1bn annually to support household collection and disposal services and stimulate a £10bn investment in recycling infrastructure over the next decade. Alongside other packaging reforms, the scheme also aims to reduce landfill emissions by an estimated 32 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2037, supporting the UK's circular economy and net zero objectives.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced the launch of the world’s first United Nations-backed International Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Resource Management in the Circular Economy. University College London, University of Exeter, Brunel University London, Swansea University and the British Geological Survey are the five institutions that will make up the centre when it opens in April 2024. Together these institutions have contributed £1.85m that will be used towards developing sustainable methods to the circular economy that reduce carbon emissions and promote the transition to ‘a greener future.’ This announcement contributes towards Defra’s 'Maximising Resources, Minimising Waste' programme, which contains a range of measures that aim to keep resources in circulation for as long as possible.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced new legislation, aimed at supporting precision breeding technology to boost food security. This legislation seeks to increase food production, reduce costs for farmers, boost investment into the sector, limit the use of pesticides, and enable the growth of drought and disease resistant crops, reinforcing resilience to climate change.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced measures to accelerate the development of offshore wind projects in the UK. The government is streamlining the consenting process for up to 13 major offshore wind projects, potentially generating 16GW of electricity and unlocking £20-30bn of investment in homegrown clean power. These changes will enable the government to designate new or extend existing Marine Protected Areas to offset impacts to the seabed caused by offshore wind development, preventing delays previously caused by insufficient environmental compensation agreements, with costs funded by developers through the Marine Recovery Fund. Any new designations of Marine Protected Areas will adhere to the existing legislative process, including consultation with affected industries and communities.

The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced measures to combat pollution and facilitate the construction of thousands of homes by upgrading over 140 wastewater treatment works in areas affected by nutrient neutrality advice. The measures are part of Defra's action to reduce pollution from existing and new homes and improve water quality through stronger regulation, stricter enforcement and increased investment. The measures further include a ban on bonuses for water company executives, increased regulatory capacity for the Environment Agency, reduction in civil penalties for polluters and removal of the civil penalty cap, allowing regulators to swiftly and easily take action against polluters.