All Defra articles
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NewsNPA urges Government to provide clarity on ASF regionalisation position
The National Pig Association is seeking clarity from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs on the UK Government’s approach to African swine fever regionalisation agreements, after Spain was able to “rapidly implement” agreements following an outbreak.
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NewsGovernment urged to ensure “robust” import controls after Spain ASF outbreak
Spain has confirmed its first case of African swine fever since 1994, as the National Pig Association urges Government to protect the UK pig sector.
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NewsUK beef inflation hits “record” 27.4%
According to global consultancy Inverto, the UK’s 27.4% increase in beef prices over the past year has challenged food producers, retailers and consumers alike to keep meals “as affordable as possible”.
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NewsReport finds Defra and APHA “not prepared” for disease outbreak
A report from the Public Accounts Committee has looked at the UK’s resilience to animal diseases such as bird flu, which it says pose a “significant threat” to the UK’s health, communities, wildlife, economy, trade and agriculture.
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NewsHousing order to cover England as avian influenza cases rise
The UK Chief Veterinary Officer has ordered a mandatory housing order to cover the whole of England from Thursday 6th November 2025, following the escalating number of confirmations of avian influenza in kept and wild birds.
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NewsDemand for cheap meat is “fuelling illegal imports” finds EFRA
The EFRA Committee has published its new report, ‘Biosecurity at the Border: Britain’s Illegal Meat Crisis’, which has warned that Defra’s approach to personal meat imports has been “unnecessarily lax”.
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NewsEmma Reynolds appointed as Defra Minister
Following a cabinet reshuffle, Emma Reynolds MP has been appointed Minister of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
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NewsGovernment cancels extra border checks to make meat trade “cheaper and easier”
Government has suspended the introduction of extra border checks on live animal imports from the EU and on specific animal and plant goods from Ireland ahead of its new SPS deal with the EU.
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NewsNew regulations aim to provide “greater certainty” to pig farmers
As of Wednesday 13th August, the Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations 2025 came into force, with the National Pig Association welcoming the regulations.
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NewsUK firms secure pork export opportunities in Mexico
Defra has announced that 12 businesses in England and Northern Ireland have gained approval to export pork products to Mexico in a deal worth £19m.
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OpinionThe lure of talking shops
Government has set up two new bodies with the aim of tackling the issues facing food production in the UK. But JP Garnier highlights a need for clear, harmonious priorities and proper industry representation.
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NewsDefra announces £1bn investment in National Biosecurity Centre
Defra has revealed that the country’s ability to prevent a future pandemic has been “significantly enhanced” with the unveiling of an investment into a new National Biosecurity Centre.
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NewsWelsh Deputy First Minister reveals new bluetongue controls
Welsh Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies has chosen not to align with England on bluetongue controls, instead placing restrictions on the movement of animals into Wales.
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NewsMPs debate non-stun slaughter in Parliament
After gaining more than 109,000 signatures, a petition to ban non-stun slaughter in the UK was debated in Westminster Hall.
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NewsTotal farming income up £1.6bn but “gains are fragile”, says NFU
The National Farmers’ Union has warned that the “modest gains” achieved by UK farmers “come after years of unsustainable returns”.
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NewsNFU responds to Defra plans to introduce Electronic ID for cattle
The National Farmers’ Union has welcomed the Government’s decision to invest in mandatory electronic ID for newborn calves but wants the changes to go further.
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NewsNAO report finds industry “unprepared” for major disease outbreak
Key public bodies are “insufficiently prepared” for a major animal disease outbreak and would likely struggle to cope with one, a report from NAO has found.
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NewsDefra reveals new AHDB chair
Emily Norton has been appointed by Ministers from Defra as chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.
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NewsGovernment reopens SFI scheme after legal threat from NFU members
Defra has been forced to “retake” it’s decision to close the 2024 SFI scheme to thousands of applicants following an NFU-backed threat of legal action by farmers.
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NewsAHDB responds to Defra Land Use Framework consultation
In its response to Defra’s Land Use Framework consultation, AHDB has raised five key points for consideration.
