Associations

Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

www.defra.gov.uk

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is a Government Department in the UK.
We cover - we make policy and legislation, and work with others to deliver our policies in - areas such as:

• the natural environment, biodiversity, plants and animals
• sustainable development and the green economy
• food, farming and fisheries
• animal health and welfare
• environmental protection and pollution control
• rural communities and issues.

Although we only work directly in England, we work closely with the devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and we generally lead on negotiations in the EU and internationally.
Defra was formed in June 2001 when the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) was merged with part of the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) and with a small part of the Home Office. In October 2008, the climate team at Defra was merged with the energy team from the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) to create the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Structural Reform Priorities:
1. Support and develop British farming and encourage sustainable food production
2. Help to enhance the environment and biodiversity to improve quality of life
3. Support a strong and sustainable green economy, resilient to climate change
Other major responsibilities:
1. Prepare for and manage environment risk from animal and plant disease outbreaks
2. Prepare for and manage environmental risk from flood emergencies

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