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Mon, 14 July 2025
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Articles tagged with: Defra
Water Minister Emma Hardy: 'The Regulatory System Is Broken'
Environment
Water Minister Emma Hardy: "The Regulatory System Is Broken"
With water now a top political issue in Britain, Sienna Rodgers talks to Defra minister Emma Hardy who says regulation of the industry is ‘broken’ – and warns companies, ‘there’s no room to hide’
Victoria Atkins: I’ve Cross-Examined Gun-Toting Drug Lords – Labour MPs Don't Worry Me
Environment
Victoria Atkins: I’ve Cross-Examined Gun-Toting Drug Lords – Labour MPs Don't Worry Me
Sienna Rodgers talks to shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins who aims her fire at ‘City Steve’, ‘showman’ Nigel Farage and the government’s ‘Marxist’ policy on compulsory purchase
A nuclear kettle of fish at Hinkley Point C
Environment
By Tali Fraser
A nuclear kettle of fish at Hinkley Point C
Is a trawler’s worth of fish getting in the way of our nuclear ambitions? Tali Fraser investigates something fishy going on around Hinkley Point C
Minister informed of challenges and concerns of grower’s peat-free journey Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
Minister informed of challenges and concerns of grower’s peat-free journey
Last week, McLaren’s Nurseries in Glasgow, Scotland, hosted a visit and tour for the Agriculture Minister, Jim Fairlie MSP, at a crucial time for the professional horticulture sector.
More certainty is needed for horticultural businesses to plan for tree and hedging production, MP told Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
More certainty is needed for horticultural businesses to plan for tree and hedging production, MP told
This week, Heathwood Nurseries in Whitchurch, Shropshire, hosted their local Member of Parliament, Helen Morgan, alongside supplier Forestart and the Horticultural Trades Association. They provided a comprehensive tour of the Nursery and production site, showcasing their dedication and passion for their work.
Tory MP Urges People To 'Think Carefully' Before Buying Puppies
Environment
Tory MP Urges People To "Think Carefully" Before Buying Puppies
People are being urged to “ask questions” about where their puppies are coming from, as a new committee report highlights the increasing prevalence of unregulated canine fertility clinics and the widespread illegal trade and importation of pets.
Regenerative agriculture is the future of farming
Environment
By George Eustice MP
Regenerative agriculture is the future of farming
Supporting a kinder, more nature-friendly approach to livestock farming, coupled with new technology, is what will actually deliver for our environment
The Minette Batters interview: 'I’m fed up with agriculture being deemed low-skilled, low-paid'
Environment
By Tali Fraser
The Minette Batters interview: 'I’m fed up with agriculture being deemed low-skilled, low-paid'
Brexit thrust farmers into the centre of political debate for the first time in generations. Minette Batters tells Tali Fraser what it’s been like to be in the eye of the ‘tornado’
Steve Reed interview: 'There’s a definite perception Labour doesn’t get rural voters'
Environment
By Sienna Rodgers
Steve Reed interview: 'There’s a definite perception Labour doesn’t get rural voters'
Shadow Defra secretary Steve Reed talks to Sienna Rodgers about Labour’s drive to win back rural voters, how the party plans to show respect for the countryside, and his recipe for the perfect roast potato
Rural Voters Feel Labour Doesn’t 'Get' Them, Says Shadow Environment Secretary
Environment
Rural Voters Feel Labour Doesn’t "Get" Them, Says Shadow Environment Secretary
Rural voters feel the Labour Party does not "get" them, shadow environment, food and rural affairs secretary Steve Reed has said in an interview with The House magazine.
Victoria Atkins Appointed Health Secretary As Steve Barclay Becomes New Environment Secretary
Environment
Victoria Atkins Appointed Health Secretary As Steve Barclay Becomes New Environment Secretary
Victoria Atkins is taking over from Steve Barclay as the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with Barclay replacing Thérèse Coffey as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in a major cabinet reshuffle.
Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
Positive first steps, but the HTA urges further progress on Border Trade Plans for horticulture
Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
New evidence shows Defra proposals for an early peat ban will have negative environmental and economic impacts
Data released today (24 August) by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) shows clear consequences that accelerating a ban from 2030 to 2026 on UK tree and plant growers using peat will have significant environmental and economic impacts. The reduced timescale will more than halve the number of growing seasons to complete extensive trialling to changes in crop production techniques leading to counterproductive outcomes contrary to the Government's Environmental Improvement Plan.
Partner content
Environment
By British Veterinary Association
British Veterinary Association responds to Government’s proposals to ban primates as pets
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) welcomes the news that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a new consultation on proposals to ban the keeping of primates as pets.
Cultivated meat: The potential future of food risks ruin from regulation
Environment
By Tali Fraser
Cultivated meat: The potential future of food risks ruin from regulation
Cultivated meat has been making headlines as a possible way to make food production more environmentally friendly, but as Tali Fraser discovers, those working on this innovation say they are being stymied by regulation
Foreign Fruit Picker Numbers Could Go Up, Not Down As Home Office Hopes
Brexit
Foreign Fruit Picker Numbers Could Go Up, Not Down As Home Office Hopes
Former environment secretary George Eustice has said that the number of overseas workers who come to the UK to pick fruit and vegetables is likely to go up in the next few years, despite the government's insistence they'll come down.
Beaver Bounceback
Environment
By Chris Chafin
Beaver Bounceback
The reintroduction of beavers to the United Kingdom has been met with excitement from ecotourists and animal lovers – but some are worried it could come at a price. Chris Chafin reports. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
Horticultural Trades Association Hosts Forum with Over 100 Members to Discuss Defra’s Peat Ban Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
Horticultural Trades Association Hosts Forum with Over 100 Members to Discuss Defra’s Peat Ban
On Monday, 27 March 2023, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) hosted a town hall meeting with more than 100 sector professionals to discuss last week's decision by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) regarding the ban on peat.
Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
HTA statement on Defra decision on peat
James Barnes, Chairman, HTA commented:
Why Are Supermarkets Running Out Of Some Fruits And Vegetables?
Environment
Why Are Supermarkets Running Out Of Some Fruits And Vegetables?
Some supermarkets have placed sales limits on certain fruits and vegetables as a result of shortages of certain products including tomatoes and salad leaves.
Britain's waterways: do we need a right to connect or the right to clean rivers?
Environment
By Baroness McIntosh
Britain's waterways: do we need a right to connect or the right to clean rivers?
While the government rightly looks to growth, innovation and the housing that the United Kingdom desperately needs, the discussion needs to also address the fact that much of England’s water courses and wastewater infrastructure is still living in the 19th century.
HTA response to the GB Plant Biosecurity Strategy 2023 to 2028 Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
HTA response to the GB Plant Biosecurity Strategy 2023 to 2028
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) welcomes the Government launching its five-year GB Biosecurity Strategy. Significantly, the strategy proposes to increase the level of collaboration between Defra and industry in order to facilitate safe trade and reduce the risks posed by pests and diseases. Additionally, Defra outlines plans for a campaign aimed at the general public to increase awareness of the importance of plants, as well as improved plant health understanding at educational level. HTA is a signatory to the Plant Health Accord, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of plant health to the public.
HTA’s calls for increase in seasonal worker visas granted by Defra Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
HTA’s calls for increase in seasonal worker visas granted by Defra
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) today announced a significant increase in the number of seasonal worker visas that will be available to the horticulture industry for 2023. This will rise to 45,000 from 30,000 this year (the new figure could rise by a further 10,000 if necessary next year) and includes an early allocation for Daffodil growers. The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), which has been campaigning for an increase in the available workforce to meet demand in the industry, approves of what it calls a ‘step-change’ decision in the Government’s policy.
Committee Corner – Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee chair Robert Goodwill on his in-tray
Environment
By Robert Goodwill MP
Committee Corner – Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee chair Robert Goodwill on his in-tray
Liz Truss certainly has a full in-tray. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee will be doing its bit to make constructive recommendations on some of the key items as she settles in.