Policy paper

5 February 2026: Inter-Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (IMG EFRA) Communiqué

Updated 5 March 2026

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The Inter-Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (IMG EFRA) met on Thursday 5th February 2026 by video conference.

The meeting was chaired by Andrew Muir MLA, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs from the Northern Ireland Executive.

The attending ministers were:

  • (from the UK Government) Emma Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Baroness Sue Hayman, Minister for Biosecurity, Borders and Animals; and Dame Angela Eagle DBE, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs.
  • (from the Scottish Government) Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands; and Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity.
  • (from the Welsh Government) Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs.

The meeting opened with a discussion on allocations for the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund. Devolved government ministers expressed significant disappointment that the Barnett formula had been used as it did not reflect the funding allocations from previous funding rounds, nor the fishing sector size in each of the devolved nations.

Next IMG discussed engagement and progress on the EU-UK SPS Agreement negotiations. Devolved government ministers noted and appreciated the good engagement and emphasised the importance of being meaningfully engaged throughout the negotiations by the UK Government. Ministers also agreed the importance of maintaining effective border and biosecurity arrangements whilst the SPS Agreement is being negotiated and implemented. Ministers identified that the process for bringing forward relevant legislation was a significant issue with devolved legislatures requiring time to process and scrutinise regulations to properly implement the agreement. Devolved government ministers sought continued engagement on this as the negotiations progress.

Following this, ministers discussed the Farm Profitability Review (Batters Review) and UKG Food Strategy.  Ministers appreciated the time to review these items and recognised that, although they primarily related to England, some of the recommendations and actions would affect the other UK nations, highlighting the need for collaborative working. Minister Muir stressed the importance of strengthening profitability, improving the environment and protecting nature.

The discussion then turned to any other business. Ministers agreed that legislation to ban the use of peat in horticulture would be best taken forward via a joined-up approach and they sought an update on timelines from Defra. Ministers agreed that the UK Government Water White Paper will be discussed at the next IMG. In addition, ministers recognised the current visa rules were having an impact on the availability of sheep shearers, which could lead to animal welfare issues. Defra ministers recognised the importance of the issue and noted that discussions were continuing within the UK Government on this matter.

Finally ministers noted the African Swine Fever outbreak in Spain and considered implications for the domestic market.

Ministers agreed to hold the next IMG in March 2026 ahead of the upcoming legislature elections in Scotland and Wales.

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