Collection

Defra framework documents

Information about how the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) works with its agencies and public bodies.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 1 May 2025
• Last updated: 28 May 2026 — See all updates

These framework documents set out the relationship between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and its agencies and public bodies, including:

• respective roles
• responsibilities
• agreed operational framework

Framework documents

• Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) framework document: February 2025
  • 1 February 2025
  • Corporate report
• Animal and Plant Health Agency framework document
  • 7 March 2024
  • Corporate report
• British Wool framework document: May 2025
  • 1 May 2025
  • Corporate report
• Cefas framework document
  • 25 January 2023
  • Corporate report
• Consumer Council for Water framework document: May 2015
  • 1 May 2015
  • Corporate report
• Covent Garden Market Authority framework document
  • 18 January 2021
  • Policy paper
• Environment Agency framework document: May 2025
  • 1 May 2025
  • Corporate report
• Forestry Commission framework document
  • 26 August 2020
  • Policy paper
• JNCC framework document
  • 4 July 2022
  • Corporate report
• MMO framework document
  • 9 June 2022
  • Corporate report
• Natural England framework document
  • 4 July 2022
  • Corporate report
• Office for Environmental Protection framework document
  • 28 May 2026
  • Corporate report
• Ofwat framework document
  • 5 March 2020
  • Corporate report
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew framework document
  • 4 July 2022
  • Corporate report
• Rural Payments Agency framework document
  • 1 February 2024
  • Corporate report
• Veterinary Medicines Directorate framework document
  • 1 February 2024
  • Guidance

Published 1 May 2025

Last updated 28 May 2026 + show all updates

1. 28 May 2026

   Added the Office for Environmental Protection framework document.

2. 1 May 2025

   First published.