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2003 News Releases



2002 News Releases

2001 News Releases

Statements

Other News Releases

News Releases issued
before the creation of Defra

Other Government
News Releases

19 December 2003

• Hazardous waste - an action plan for its reduction and environmentally sound management
• Climate change: Nominations for the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report
• 2004 European fisheries deal gives support to UK fishing industry

18 December 2003

• England on course to meet 2003/04 recycling target

17 December 2003

• Good deal for producers on sheep and goat identification

16 December 2003

• Advice to pregnant women during the lambing season

15 December 2003

• Animal Health and Welfare: New regulation laid in Parliament to enhance animal welfare at slaughter and killing
• Annual Report of Veterinary Residues Committee
• Government signs up to major farm tenancy reforms
• Sustainable farming and food: one year on
• Government driving on with its plans to recycle more of England's waste

12 December 2003

• Defra publishes independent scientific group's vaccine scoping study
• Consultation on: Animal health and welfare strategy implementation plan for England. A news release has been issued.

11 December 2003

• Environmentally responsible farming courses available across England, backed by Defra funding
• Consultation on: Changes to the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to free the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) of various constraints presently upon it to enable it to operate more effectively
• Water framework directive transposed

10 December 2003

• Secretary of State's statement on pre-Budget report 2003
• Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund Evaluation
• Consultation on: Amendments to the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000
• Defra to pay for satellite monitoring

9 December 2003

• Consultation on: the use of mechanically propelled vehicles on rights of way. A news release has been issued.

8 December 2003

• Progress made on containing potato ring rot
• A report on the structure of water industry in England has been published.
• Consultation on Government response to working group report of review of non-native species policy. A news release has been issued.

5 December 2003

• Information on blackhead disease in turkeys has been published.
• Consultation: Repeal of Section 24 of the Agriculture Act 1967
• Illegal use of pesticides remains a hazard to wildlife, report shows
• Central point of expertise proposed to help public sector buy timber from sustainable sources
• Be honest on green claims, government tells business

4 December 2003

• Speech by Margaret Beckett to UK/Japan Automotive Technology Forum on Low Carbon Vehicles
• Phytophthora ramorum: more resources and new disease confirmations
• Alun Michael launches key rural regeneration scheme
• The Environment in your pocket 2003 has been published.

3 December 2003

• Award ceremony for new clerk qualification
• Information has been published on the sustainable buildings initiative
• Consultation: EC Commission Proposal for a Regulation on Certain Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases

1 December 2003

• Consultation: Annual review of Foot and Mouth Disease Contingency Plan. A news release has been issued.
• Consultation: Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease Contingency Plan
• Biodiversity: better news for farmland birds - a news release has also been issued

28 November 2003

• Defra has published the UK national emission reduction plan under the Large Combustion Plant Directive
• Fixed Penalty Notices for Littering and Dog Fouling - Section 119 of the Local Government Act 2003 commenced on 18 November 2000
• Animal health: New initiative encouraging farmers to combat sheep scab and lice infestations
• The Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP - speech on Climate Change Policy at the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change 2003 Conference, London

27 November 2003

• Fisheries: £429, 574 penalties for fisheries offences at Swansea Crown Court
• Consultation: UK report regarding plans and programmes to achieve limit values set by the first air quality daughter directive
• Ben Bradshaw - statement on implementing the Large Combustion Plants Directive (2001/80/EC) in the UK
• Farm incomes up third year in a row, forecasts show

26 November 2003

• New pages on Organic Food and Farming have been published
• Climate change has big impact for business and investment
• Consultation on: the Sewerage Undertakers (Pollution Inventory) Directions 2003 consultation. An information bulletin has been issused.

25 November 2003

• New deadline for applications for the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme
• Environment Minister Elliot Morley outlines drive towards sustainable development in public services. A speech is also available.

24 November 2003

• Ragwort Control Act
• New Chief Veterinary Officer appointed to Defra
• £75m boost to recycling and composting in the North West
• Non-food uses of crops: new centre to link scientists, farmers and industry

21 November 2003

• Sustainable buildings task group line-up revealed
• Defra's Autumn performance report has been published. A news release has been issued
• Waste strategy: The changing face of waste PFI
• Advisory Committee for Business and the Environment Annual Report
• Water Bill receives Royal Assent

20 November 2003

• The Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP speech on Sustainable Consumption and Production at the Institute of Public Policy Research and Environment Agency conference
• Government announces packaging waste recovery and recycling targets for 2004-2008

19 November 2003

• Further precautionary action against potato ring rot
• Sales of veterinary antimicrobials
• Lord Whitty speech to the Combined Heat and Power Association Annual Conference
• A paper on wetlands, land use change and flood management has been published

18 November 2003

• Defra announces £1.6m research project on National Scrapie Plan and breed traits
• GM research report published

17 November 2003

• Prosecution of Belgian skipper for fishing inside UK 6 mile limit Brighton magistrates court 14th November 2003
• New team appointed to find long term solution for UK nuclear waste

15 November 2003

• Environmental protection: Third and fourth US ships to be stored in Hartlepool

14 November 2003

• Draft Regulations for the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme have been published
• Waste and Emissions Trading Bill receives Royal Assent

13 November 2003

• Consultation on: Regional Advisory Councils for fisheries management: consultation on draft Council Decision. A news release has been issused.
• Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW): a video has been produced explaining the role of PAW in helping combat wildlife crime.
• Six-million pound boost for energy-saving heating
• Consultation on: Review of Badger Licensing Procedures for England

12 November 2003

• A new website bringing together horse issues has been launched. A news release has been issued.
• Consultation: on the implementation of the Dairy Elements of the CAP Reform options in England
• First finding of potato ring rot in the United Kingdom
• Consultation: implementation of new EU-wide controls on Scrapie-affected farms. A news release has been issued.

11 November 2003

• New pages on the Whole Farm Approach have been published
• UK signs up to the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Animals during International Transport
• Rural Delivery Review: Lord Haskins' Review published together with statement to Parliament giving initial government response.
• Government to pay backdated slaughter premium claims for welfare scheme

10 November 2003

• Illegal residues on winter lettuce: Defra takes action

8 November 2003

• Help us shape Defra's rural stategy, Alun Michael tells Rural Affairs for England

7 November 2003

• Environmental protection: Statement on US "ghost" ships: decision made on temporary storage
• Ben Bradshaw - speech to Red Meat Industry Forum conference
• Start preparing now for new controls on farm waste

6 November 2003

• Information bulletin: New appointment to the Anglian Regional Flood Defence Committee
• Household Waste Recycling Bill gets Royal Assent
• Environmental protection: Statement on US "ghost" ships: a solution that puts environment and safety first
• Environment Minister: "it pays to save water"

5 November 2003

• First infected oak found in Sussex
• Government announces new deadline for horse passports

4 November 2003

• Rural issues: Margaret Beckett's speech on England's rural future. A news release has been issued.
• Minister announces the suspension of badger culling in reactive areas of the Randomised Badger Culling Trial
• Bathing water quality reaches all time high

3 November 2003

• Consultation: National Scrapie Plan - Consultation on proposals for a voluntary framework for flock registration. A news release has been issued.
• Consultation: Second review of process guidance notes - minerals sector
• Wildlife conservation: Defra grants licence to bring great bustards back to Salisbury Plain

31 October 2003

• End of Life Vehicles Regulations 2003 - Guidance Notes

30 October 2003

• Consultation on: Solvent Emission Directive - application fees for substitution plans for risk phrase solvents
• Government buys into sustainable procurement
• Health and safety implications of Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease in poultry

29 October 2003

• Lord Whitty today opens the debate on a Soil Action Plan for England.
• Millions suffer noisy neighbour misery, survey shows.
• Research: Tender trap set for pests in quest for new defences.
• Consultation on: Voluntary Code of Practice for the Fast Food Industry - Options for reducing fast food litter and waste in the local environment. A news release has been issued.

28 October 2003

• Sustainable development essential to long term peace and security - Beckett
• Defra review of delivery of veterinary services

27 October 2003

• Defra review of delivery of veterinary services
• New Defra poster campaign: pigs spread disease rapidly
• Consultation on: Proposals to rationalise compensation for notifiable animal disease control. A news release has been issued.

24 October 2003

• Making millions of meals more sustainable: details of public sector food procurement conference
• Comments invited on New English Woodland Grant Scheme. A joint consultation by Forestry Commission and Defra. Consultation details are available on the Forestry Commission website.
• Access to countryside - balance is key to new restrictions system
• Consultation on: European Commission Communication - A European Environment and Health Strategy
• Consultation: new Regulations on energy labelling of household electric refrigerators, freezers and their combinations

23 October 2003

• Margaret Beckett's keynote speech - "delivering Johannesburg sustainable energy commitments" - at the global launch of the International Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP)

22 October 2003

• Directors announced for new national fallen stock scheme Company
• Appointment of members to the Advisory Committee on Organic Standards
• Darwin Initiative awards further funding to successful projects
• Consultation on: Sugar market reform options for debate. A News Release has been issued
• International animal disease monitoring.
• UK Veterinary Surveillance Strategy launched by Defra, the devolved administration and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland

21 October 2003

• Beckett launches 'environmentally friendly' buildings initiative (news story and speech) also Beckett sets up new Sustainable Buildings Task Group (news release) in an effort to raise the environmental quality of buildings
• Protection of biodiversity: Defra moves to protect rare seaweed from dredging damage

20 October 2003

• Countryside Stewardship Scheme open for new applications
• Organophosphate seminar postponed
• Local authorities invited to bid for £135m on waste minimisation and recycling
• Statement by Ben Bradshaw on latest scientific advice on fish stocks

17 October 2003

• Government's response to the VPC's report on antimicrobial resistance in relation to veterinary medicines published
• Contract awarded to carry out study on structure of the Consumer Council for Water
• Consultation on: Local authority air fees and charges scheme 2004-05

16 October 2003

• GM Farm Scale Evaluation results published. A News Release has been issued. A News Release has been issued on behalf of the FSE Scientific Steering Committee
• Consultation: Stage II CAP reform: tobacco, olive oil, cotton and hops

15 October 2003

• Launch of the first world atlas of seagrasses
• Consultation: Action to Control the Risks from Nonylphenol, Octylphenol and their Ethoxylates. A News Release has been issued.
• Advisory Committee on Pesticides' annual report published
• Information bulletin: Financial Management and Policy Review of the Commons Commissioners published
• Consultation on: The role of Anaerobic Digestion of Municipal Waste within the Best Value Performance standards

14 October 2003

• Review of agri-environment schemes: third public consultation
• Chairman of the Environment Agency re-appointed

13 October 2003

• Background note on the farm scale evaluations of GM crops: publication of the results and the way ahead.
• GM research reports published.
• Regulation of GM crop trials to be strengthened.

10 October 2003

• CVO to mark a major stage in the re-development of VLA Weybridge

9 October 2003

• Countryside Survey 2000: CS2000 review report published - Countryside information for policy: the lessons from CS2000.

8 October 2003

• Lord Selborne appointed new Chair of Kew Gardens Board of Trustees.
• Consultation: a review of marine fisheries and environmental enforcement has been launched.
• Lord Selborne appointed Chair of Board of Trustees for the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew

7 October 2003

• Alun Michael launches new web-guide to farmland walks.
• A new Defra organisation chart (85 KB) is available.
• Defra welcomes BNFL plant - scale trial to reduce radioactive discharges.
• Fisheries: Offers made for English decommissioning scheme.

6 October 2003

• UK Government report to European Commission published on implementation of IPPC Directive 96/61/EC.
• Watchtree nature reserve - creation of an independent trust

3 October 2003

• "Conservation is not enough" - Minister sets out living challenge for National Parks

2 October 2003

• New European-wide controls on scrapie-affected farms from 1 October.
• Encouraging results from trials to reduce dolphin deaths

1 October 2003

• CAP reform: Government consultation on farm reform extended.

30 September 2003

• HMS Severn joins the Fishery Protection Squadron.
• Your opportunity to contribute to one of England's largest sustainable development projects
• Information bulletin: Shake-up for grants to help farmers protect environment

29 September 2003

• Consultation on: Correction to the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) 2000: Deemed application procedure

26 September 2003

• Telephone/fax numbers for Environmental Protection staff with current numbers of the form 020 7944 xxxx will change from 29 September. New numbers will have the code 020 7082 followed by a (changed) four digit extension number. Please contact the Defra switchboard on 020 7238 6000 if you don't know the new number of the person you want to contact. See "Contacting Defra"
• Rights of way: consultation on proposed amendments to legislation when 'Roads Used as Public Paths' are reclassified as restricted byways" (issued 26 September 2003). A News Release has been issued.

25 September 2003

• Consultation on: Transposition of EC Directive 2003/11/EC into Regulations for England and Wales placing controls on releases of pentabromodiphenyl ether and octabromodiphenyl ether
• Changing Patterns: UK Government framework for sustainable consumption and production.
• UK Government framework for sustainable consumption and production: consultation on 'decoupling' indicators.

24 September 2003

• Defra announces the go-ahead plans for a National Scrapie Plan Scheme for scrapie-affected flocks
• Consultation on: Modernisation of the Veterinary Surgeons Act. A news release has been issued.
• Margaret Beckett responds to GM Nation? Report
• Defra to review marine fisheries and environmental enforcement arrangements in England and Wales

23 September 2003

• Consultation: Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 - Secretary of State's final consultation on Statutory Guidance Notes: A(2) Ceramics sector.
  An Information bulletin has been issued
• Eurostar launches service for guide dogs under the Pet Travel Scheme
• Information bulletin:Consultation on Landfill Directive waste acceptance criteria
• Whitty welcomes new farming and food research forum
• Minister marks £2.5M renovation project at former munitions factory
• Statistical Release: River water quality headline indicator for sustainable development: 2002. See also Ministerial comment.

22 September 2003

• £304, 854 penalties for fisheries offences at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.
• We must ensure that regulation of GM technology continues to improve - Elliot Morley.

19 September 2003

• Information bulletin:Commons register search fees

18 September 2003

• Consultation: Amendments to the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000
• Government works in partnership with the horse industry to fund definitive research.

17 September 2003

• Government launches new leaflet to raise awareness of the need for horse passports.
• Pesticide Residues Committee publishes 2002 annual report
• Consultation: Draft Implementing Regulations of EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

16 September 2003

• Consultation on: European Commission proposal for a Regulation on persistent organic pollutants
• Work together to meet targets for recycling household waste - Elliot Morley.
• A revised and updated version of the environment statistics website has been launched.

15 September 2003

• A six-month report on DACTARI - Dog and Cat Travel and Risk Information has been published.

12 September 2003

• Agriculture Development Scheme grants: Lord Whitty announces - Cash boost for farmer cooperation
• Consultation: Snares and Traps - The Way Forward
• Information bulletin: Farm-scale evaluations GM crops: arrangements for publication by scientific steering committee on 16th October and consideration of the results by ACRE

11 September 2003

• Moving to a more sustainable sheep sector.
• Global treaty on GMOs takes effect.
• National Forest Company launches public consultation - 'National Forest Strategy Review - Have your Say'.
• Sustainable consumption and production: Environmental impact of all products should be assessed, say experts.

10 September 2003

• UK leads international opposition to Iceland's scientific whaling.
• WTO Cancun meeting: Beckett urges stronger trade and environment links.
• Public invited to annual open meeting on pesticides.

9 September 2003

• Consultation: on possible notification of the Darwin Mounds as a candidate Special Area of Conservation. A news release has been issued.

8 September 2003

• Defra hosts seminar on cormorant research project
• Hill Farm Allowance - revised rates for 2004
• Consultation: Linking the Kyoto Protocol with the EU Emissions Trading Scheme

5 September 2003

• Consultation: Secretary of State's final consultation on Statutory Guidance Notes: Galvanising

4 September 2003

• Plant health: New pest of maize found in the UK.
• Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve - protecting our natural heritage.

3 September 2003

• Defra has published its Race Equality Scheme. A news release has been issued.

2 September 2003

• Consultation: Interim Shoreline Management Planning Guidance.

1 September 2003

• Secretary of State's Zoo Inspectors' Performance - research findings
• Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations: Autumn ploughing of uncultivated land.
• Organic Farming Minister Ben Bradshaw visits one of the first organic maintenance grant holders