UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the governmental department responsible for protection of the environment, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural matters in the United Kingdom (UK). Agreements (called concordats) define the frameworks for co-operation between Defra and the Scottish Government, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly, each of whom have certain responsibilities for these matters in their respective nations.

Defra represents the UK at the European Union (EU) on agricultural, fisheries and environment matters. It also represents the UK in international negotiations on sustainable development.

The department's main headquarters is located in Smith Square, London.

History

Defra was formed in June 2001 when the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) was merged with part of the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) and with a small part of the Home Office. The department was created after the perceived failure of MAFF to deal adequately with the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in 2001. As of 2009, Defra had about 10,500 total staff.

In October 2008, the climate group from Defra was merged with the energy group from the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) to create the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Organization

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with the assistance of the Minister of State for Food, Farming and Environment, has the overall leadership responsibility for all aspects of Defra.

The day-to-day executive management of the department is provided by:

• The Permanent Secretary: Responsible for the overall organization, management and staffing of the department as well as for all financial and other procedures. Also chairs a Management Board comprised of:
  • Director General: Chair of the Central Approvals Panel
  • Director General: Strategy and Evidence Group
  • Director General: Food and Farming Group
  • Director General: Natural Environment Group
  • Director General: Law, Human Resources and Corporate Services
  • Chief Scientific Advisor

Executive agencies

Executive agencies are public bodies that deliver government services for the United Kingdom government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government or the Northern Ireland Executive.

An executive agency does not set the policy required to carry out its functions - these are determined by the department that oversees the agency. Each executive agency is headed by a chief executive who is responsible for the agency's day-to-day operations.

The executive agencies that deliver services for Defra are:

• Animal Health
• Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
• Food and Environment Research Agency
• Marine and Fisheries Agency
• Rural Payments Agency
• Veterinary Laboratories Agency
• Veterinary Medicines Directorate

Key delivery partners

Delivery partners are non-departmental public bodies, public corporations and others who also provide delivery services for Defra. The key delivery partners are:

• British Waterways
• Environment Agency
• Forestry Commission
• National Parks Authorities
• Natural England

A full list of all the departmental delivery partners is available on the Defra website.

Priorities and objectives

The primary mission of Defra is to secure a healthy environment and help the people of the UK to adapt to the changes involved in building a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy so that current and future generations can prosper.

Under its primary mission, Defra has three strategic priorities:

• Secure a healthy natural environment for us all and deal with environmental risks.
• Promote a sustainable, low-carbon and resource-efficient economy.
• Ensure a thriving farming sector and a sustainable, healthy and secure food supply.

Defra has nine objectives that cover all areas of its responsibilities and are essential to achieving its primary mission and strategic priorities:

• A society that is adapting to the effects of climate change, through a national program of action and a contribution to international action.
• A healthy, resilient, productive and diverse natural environment.
• Sustainable, low carbon and resource efficient patterns of consumption and production.
• An economy and a society that are resilient to environmental risk.
• Championing sustainable development.
• A thriving farming and food sector with an improving net environmental impact.
• A sustainable, secure and healthy food supply.
• Socially and economically sustainable rural communities.
• A respected department delivering efficient and high quality services and outcomes.