The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced its plans to repeal the 2031 deadline for recording historic rights of way, safeguarding an estimated 40,000 miles of unrecorded paths across England. This decision will provide local authorities with additional time to assess whether paths qualify for inclusion in the ‘definitive map’, the legal record of public rights of way established by the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. Once these rights of way are established, both local authorities and landowners will be legally responsible for their maintenance. Defra has indicated that the deadline will be repealed when parliamentary time allows.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new guidance on emergency authorisations of pesticides, developed in co-operation with all four UK governments. The guidance clarifies and strengthens the requirements for considering pollinator risks in emergency pesticide authorisation applications. The publication follows the denial of an emergency pesticide authorisation for the neonicotinoid pesticide Cruiser SB earlier in 2025.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) to be completed by the end of the year, in order to meet Environment Act (EA) targets. This review follows the publication of the EIP annual progress report for 2023 to 2024, which indicated the need for accelerated action. Following this review, the government intends to develop a statutory plan to restore and protect our natural environment with delivery plans to meet the EA targets. This will focus on reducing waste across the economy, cleaning up waterways, planting trees, improving air quality, and halting the decline in species by 2030. The review will also engage with several stakeholders across the environment and nature, resources, farming, waste, and water sectors.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the Environment Agency (EA) will receive £189m for water regulation in 2025/2026, representing a 64% increase from 2023/2024. The funding, derived from water company charges under the Water (Special Measures) Act, enables expanded enforcement powers including cost recovery levies and criminal prosecutions. The EA has launched 81 criminal investigations since July 2024 and plans 10,000 water company asset inspections this year. The Act introduces new enforcement mechanisms including executive liability for pollution cover-ups.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced a series of reforms aimed at boosting the profitability and sustainability of the UK farming sector. Key measures include monitoring public sector food procurement to support British producers, streamlining planning processes for farmers seeking to construct essential buildings, barns, and other infrastructure, facilitating income diversification through renewable energy projects, and introducing fairer supply chain practices. Defra will also implement new contractual rules for the pig sector, with similar regulations planned for eggs and fresh produce. In addition, it has committed to upholding environmental and animal welfare standards in future trade agreements. Defra has also launched the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies Fund, which will provide grant funding for farmer-led trials of innovative technology to promote sustainable food production, address climate change, and protect nature. A 25-year farming roadmap will be published later this year, serving as a blueprint for collaboration between the government and farmers, addressing challenges and ensuring appropriate support mechanisms are in place to facilitate success in the agricultural sector.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced reforms to flood funding and investment to protect farming communities. This includes a £50m investment that will be distributed to internal drainage boards (IDBs) through a bidding process. The successful IDBs will be able to use this funding over the next two years to support projects focused on improving, repairing, or replacing IDB assets. Defra also intends to launch a consultation in 2025 to review the existing flood defence funding formula. Additionally, £60m from the Farming Recovery Fund will be distributed to farmers affected by last year’s severe weather. The government has further committed £2.4bn until March 2026, with further funding decisions for 2026/27 and beyond to be addressed at the next Spending Review.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has issued a press release announcing that households will no longer be charged to dispose of DIY waste at council recycling centres. All councils in England will now treat DIY waste the same as other household waste, provided that it meets certain requirements such as not exceeding two 50 litre rubble bags. Recycling Minister Robbie Moore stated that the government had delivered on their promise ‘to make it easier and cheaper for people making home improvements to get rid of their waste properly and ensure that those disposing of waste responsibly aren’t being penalised for doing so’. The changes are intended to boost recycling, as part of a wider government aim to tackle waste crime and fly-tipping.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced the launch of a new approach to recycling collections, aiming to simplify and boost recycling rates in England. This follows the conclusion of two Defra consultations on simpler recycling policies and guidance. Councils will be allowed to collect plastic, metal, glass, paper and card in one bin, and separately co-collect food and garden waste. This means people will no longer need to check with their specific council as to what will be accepted for recycling. In addition, the introduction of a minimum backstop means councils will be expected to collect black bin waste at least fortnightly, alongside weekly food waste collections, in an effort to enforce more frequent bin collections.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has declared its support for the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Private Members' Bill, sponsored by Dr Danny Chambers MP. This legislation aims to fulfil a manifesto commitment to end puppy smuggling by granting the government powers to prohibit the importation of puppies and kittens under six months old, as well as dogs and cats that have been mutilated or are heavily pregnant. The Bill seeks to address the current exploitation of non-commercial pet movement rules, which has led to a significant increase in pet movements from 100,000 in 2011 to over 320,000 in 2023. This measure is part of a broader initiative to enhance the UK's animal welfare standards and close loopholes that have allowed unscrupulous traders to engage in fraudulent animal imports.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced changes to the Guaranteed Service Standard (GSS) scheme, increasing water company compensation payments by up to tenfold. Customers will now automatically receive higher payments for issues such as persistent low water pressure and cancelled appointments. Under the updated GSS scheme, maximum compensation for sewer flooding will rise from £1,000 to £2,000, while households experiencing persistent low water pressure will be eligible for up to £250, up from £25. Defra is also collaborating with water companies to expand the list of compensable issues to include failures to conduct meter readings and installations. All payments will be automatically credited to customer accounts. These changes represent the first update to compensation rates in 25 years. Defra also confirmed that compensation for customers required to boil their water due to contamination is expected to be introduced later in 2025.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced major updates to farming schemes at the Oxford Farming Conference including a 10% increase in funding, simplified application processes, and additional environmental incentives. These changes aim to reinforce supply chains, support British Farmers, and fulfil the government’s commitments to producing at least 60% of the UK’s food domestically. Under the agriculture transition, new farming schemes prioritise actions promoting sustainable food production and positive environmental outcomes. The upgrades also introduce enhanced payments for the creation and maintenance of impactful environmental actions and increase support for short term agreements. Applications for the 2024 schemes will open in summer 2024.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that local councils across England will receive £1.1bn in funding to improve recycling services over the coming year. The funding will be provided through the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (EPR) scheme, which transfers recycling costs from local councils to packaging producers, with higher fees applied to materials that are harder to recycle. Councils can use the funds to streamline household recycling collection services, build new infrastructure or upgrade existing packaging waste management facilities. PackUK will have the authority to reduce future allocations if the funds are not used as intended.