Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
for Environment
Food & Rural Affairs
Featured
New approach aims to broaden the range of organisations responsible for improving air quality locally.
Environmental performance report shows more action and investment is needed by several water companies that are failing to protect the environment
Start of ban on plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds
Press release
Ministers continue fight against plastic waste to protect natural environments and marine wildlife.
First exports of UK beef to the USA in 20 years underway
Press release
UK beef to be served on US plates for first time in over 20 years, with first exports commencing from a Northern Irish facility.
Over 4,000 sq km of new land in England will be designated and protected.
A fund of up to £40 million that will create jobs in nature recovery and conservation opens today.
Latest from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
What the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs does
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.
Defra is a ministerial department, supported by 33 agencies and public bodies.
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Documents
Services
- Check if you'll be charged to drive in a Clean Air Zone
- Prepare to import goods from the EU to Great Britain from 1 January 2021
Guidance and regulation
See all guidance and regulationNews and communications
- Defra seeks views on expanding use of monitoring technology on fishing boats
- Northern Irish F gas users urged to prepare for change ahead of 1 January 2021
Research and statistics
See all research and statisticsPolicy papers and consultations
See all policy papers and consultationsTransparency and freedom of information releases
- Defra: prompt payment data April 2015 to September 2020
- Defra privacy notice: National Fraud Initiative
Our ministers
Our management
Contact Defra
Defra Helpline
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Telephone (UK only)
03459 33 55 77
Telephone (from outside the UK)
+44 20 7238 6951
The quickest way to get a response is to call our Helpline which is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm (find out about call charges at www.gov.uk/call-charges). Alternatively you can email us, or write to us at the postal address given above. We aim to reply to emails within fifteen working days. During the COVID-19 outbreak, as we work from home, responses to postal queries will be significantly delayed.
Defra Rural Services helpline
Telephone
03000 200 301
Contact the Defra Rural Services helpline for farming-related advice.
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm.
You should also call us 24/7 to report suspicion of notifiable disease in animals.
Find out about call charges at www.gov.uk/call-charges.
Pet Travel Scheme helpline
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX
United Kingdom
Pet Travel Scheme helpline
0370 241 1710
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm (closed on bank holidays).
Find out about call charges at www.gov.uk/call-charges.
Make an FOI request
- Read about the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and how to make a request.
- Check our previous releases to see if we’ve already answered your question.
- Make a new request by contacting us using the details below.
Freedom of Information (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests
Seacole Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
During the COVID-19 outbreak, we will not be answering any postal queries. Please send your queries by email. If you send an email, please remember to include a return email address.
High profile groups within Defra
Corporate 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.