Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
for Environment
Food & Rural Affairs
Featured
Plans to unlock power of gene editing unveiled
Press release
Use of gene editing technologies to be enabled to help better protect the environment.
New project to plant extensive woodlands along England’s riverbanks launched to improve water quality, manage flood risk and boost biodiversity.
Consultation launched to inform new Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain.
Pet Theft Taskforce delivers report with key findings and recommendations
New strengthened Government commitments to protect the environment for future generations made today in landmark Environment Bill amendments.
COP26
Campaign
The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will be held in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November 2021.
Latest from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
What the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs does
We are responsible for improving and protecting the environment. We aim to grow a green economy and sustain thriving rural communities. We also support our world-leading food, farming and fishing industries.
Defra is a ministerial department, supported by 33 agencies and public bodies.
Follow us
Documents
Services
See all servicesNews and communications
- Forestry Commission act on new tree disease found in Cornwall
- Farming Innovation Programme launched to boost the future of farming
Research and statistics
See all research and statisticsPolicy papers and consultations
- Government response to the Climate Change Committee report on progress in adapting to climate change
- Communiqués from the Inter Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Transparency and freedom of information releases
- Defra major projects: appointment letters for Senior Responsible Owners
- Sexual Harassment Complaints - FOI2021/21525
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.
Postal queries are unlikely to be answered until lockdown restrictions are relaxed, as the majority of our staff are working from home.
We aim to respond to queries within 20 working days, however due to the current volumes of correspondence we are receiving there could be a significant delay.
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.