Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs homepage
About us
What we do
We are the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.
Purpose
The environment is fundamental to all that we do, and we must protect and enhance it. Our job is to make our country a great place for living. We do this by supporting our superb food, farming and fisheries industries, enhancing our beautiful rural environment, and better protecting against flooding, disease and other natural threats.
Priorities
- a smooth and orderly exit from the EU
- a cleaner, healthier environment, benefiting people and the economy
- a world leading food and farming industry
- a rural economy that works for everyone, contributing to national productivity, prosperity and wellbeing
- a nation better protected against floods, animal and plant diseases and other hazards, with strong response and recovery capabilities
Read our Single Departmental Plan to find out more about how we are performing against our objectives.
Who we are
We have around 3,500 staff (1 April 2018) working in Defra, including policy makers, scientists and research specialists. Most of our staff are based in London, but we have others in Bristol, York and other offices throughout England.
Although Defra only works directly in England, it works closely with the devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and generally leads on negotiations in the EU and internationally.
Expenditure data
Defra publishes a range of corporate information on data.gov.uk including information on staffing and salaries.
Framework documents
We have produced the following framework documents in partnership with our arm’s length bodies (ALBs). They set out the broad framework in which the ALBs operate, including information on their overall purpose and functions, governance arrangements and accountability. This is in accordance with the principles of the ‘partnerships with arm’s length bodies: code of good practice’ and ‘managing public money’.
- Rural Payments Agency
- Environment Agency
- Natural England
- Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) (PDF - JNCC website)
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (PDF - Kew website)
- Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) (PDF - AHDB website)
Corporate information
Access our information
Jobs and contracts
Read about the types of information we routinely publish in our Publication scheme. Our Personal information charter explains how we treat your personal information.
Corporate reports
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Defra's annual report and accounts 2019 to 2020
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Defra privacy notice: National Fraud Initiative
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Defra group sustainable information technology (IT) strategy
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Greening government commitments 2018 to 2019 annual report
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Ofwat framework document
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Sustainability in information and communication technology (ICT): a Defra guide
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Committee on Climate Change’s 2019 progress reports: government responses
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Greening Government ICT: Sustainable technology annual report 2018 to 2019
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Voluntary reporting on disability, mental health and wellbeing in Defra
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Defra's annual report and accounts 2018 to 2019
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs single departmental plan
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Greening government commitments 2017 to 2018 annual report
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Civil Service people survey
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Conflict, Stability and Security Fund: Overseas Territories annual review summaries 2017 to 2018
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Greening government ICT: 2018 annual report
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Fisheries and Conservation Authorities: conduct and operation 2014 to 2018
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Defra group's strategy: creating a great place for living
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Review of controls on imports of animals and animal products: April 2016 to March 2017
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Greening government ICT: 2017 annual report
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Defra's annual report and accounts 2017 to 2018
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AHWBE: annual report 2017
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Greening government commitments 2016 to 2017 annual report
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Defra's annual report and accounts 2015 to 2016
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Committee on Climate Change’s 2017 progress report: government response
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UK Co-ordinating Body Business Plan, 2017 to 2018
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Defra accounting officer system statement (AOSS)
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Environment Agency framework document
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Natural England framework document
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Defra's annual report and accounts 2016 to 2017
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Greening government commitments 2015 to 2016 annual report
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Greening government commitments 2014 to 2015 annual report
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Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE) summary of board activities: 2015 to 2016
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Joint Nature Conservation Committee review (JNCC) 2016
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Flood Re annual report and accounts 2015 to 2016
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RPA Regulator Code
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Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE) annual report: 2014 to 2015
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Committee on Climate Change’s 2015 progress report: Government response
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Defra's annual report and accounts 2014 to 2015
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Science Advisory Council annual report April 2014 to March 2015
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Catchment Restoration Fund: Environment Agency summary report 2014 to 2015
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Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment triennial review 2014
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Science Advisory Council triennial review 2014
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Advisory Committee on Pesticides: annual report 2014
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Science Advisory Council annual report 2013 to 2014
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Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities: conduct and operation 2010 to 2014
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Marine Management Organisation (MMO) triennial review 2013
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Greening government commitments 2013 to 2014 annual report
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Defra plan: open document formats integrating with IT applications
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Defra's mid year report April to September 2014
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Defra plan: software for open document formats
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Report on wages in agriculture 1 January to 31 December 2012
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Report on wages in agriculture 1 January to 31 December 2013
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Report on wages in agriculture 1 January to 31 December 2011
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Defra customer service lines report 2014
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Defra's powers of entry review: final report
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Defra's plan: open document formats for publishing
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Natural Environment White Paper: implementation updates
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Advisory Committee on Pesticides: annual report 2013
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Animal and Plant Health Agency framework document
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UK Co-ordinating Body annual report: 2013 to 2014
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Catchment Restoration Fund: Environment Agency summary report 2013 to 2014
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Defra's annual report and accounts 2013 to 2014
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Registration of new town and village greens: 2013 survey
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Evidence strategy for Defra and its network
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AHWBE: annual report, 2013 to 2014
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Environment Agency (EA) and Natural England (NE) triennial review
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Defra's mid year report April to September 2013
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Triennial Review of the Veterinary Products Committee
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Defra open data strategy
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Greening government commitments 2012 to 2013 annual report
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Statement of new regulation (SNR7) – January to June 2014
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EU Commission review of waste policy and legislation: UK government response
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BRAWG report (risk assessment to pesticide exposure) – government response
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National Forest Company (NFC) triennial review 2013
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Farm Animal Welfare Committee: work plan, 2013 to 2016
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Catchment Restoration Fund: Environment Agency summary report 2012-2013
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Farm Animal Welfare Committee: annual review, 2012 to 2013
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Progress report on the work of the MSCC
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Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) triennial review 2013
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Independent Agricultural Appeals Panel triennial review 2012
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Defra annual report and accounts 2012 to 2013
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Civil Service Reform: One Year On - Defra
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Report by the Forestry Regulation Task Force: 2013 update
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Review of the Major Infrastructure and Environment Unit
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Smarter Environmental Regulation Review: Phase 1 report - guidance and information obligations
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Government Chemist: annual review, 2012
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AHWBE: annual report, 2012 to 2013
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Sixty second annual report to Parliament on smallholdings in England: 1 April 2011 – 31 March 2012
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Evidence plans
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Defra digital strategy 2012
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Independent science review of Cefas
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Defra and Cefas response to the 2012 independent science review of Cefas
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AHWBE: guiding principles
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Greening government commitments 2011 to 2012 annual report
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Red tape challenge: Water and marine theme
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Red tape challenge environment theme implementation plan
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Defra's annual report and accounts 2011 to 2012
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Continuous improvement strategy 2012-14
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AHWBE code of practice
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64th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commision: UK Commissioner's Report
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Review of the independent Agricultural Appeals Panel
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AHWBE: forward work plan, 2012
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Industry debate on the future of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
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Adaptation Reporting Power: received reports
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Capability review 2012
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Report on wages in agriculture 1 January to 31 December 2010
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Red tape challenge: Environment theme proposals
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Report by the Forestry Regulation Task Force: government response
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Animal Health and Welfare Board for England: terms of reference
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Defra's annual report and accounts 2010 to 2011
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Veterinary Medicines and Antimicrobial Resistance Evidence Plan 2011/12
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Sustainable, Secure and Healthy Food Supply Evidence Plan 2011/12
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Sustainable Consumption and Production Evidence Plan 2011/12
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Better Regulation Evidence Plan 2011/12
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Report on wages in agriculture 1 January to 31 December 2009
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Defra’s evidence investment strategy 2010 to 2013 and beyond: 2011 update
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Sixtieth annual report to Parliament on smallholdings in England
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Fifty ninth annual report to Parliament on smallholdings in England
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs resource accounts 2009 to 2010
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs autumn performance report 2009
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs resource accounts 2008 to 2009
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Defra departmental report 2009
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Our seas: a shared resource, high level marine objectives
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs resource accounts 2007 to 2008
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Action taken by Government to encourage the conservation of water: April 2004 to March 2008
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs departmental report 2008
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Foot and mouth disease 2007: a review and lessons learned
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs resource accounts 2006 to 2007
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs resource accounts 2005 to 2006
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs autumn performance report 2005
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Home Grown Sugar Beet (Research and Education) Fund account 2001 to 2002
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs resource accounts 2001-02
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs autumn performance report 2002