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About Defra

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Homepage > About Defra

About Defra

Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) was created in June 2001 *  to drive forward the Government's programmes on the environment, food and rural affairs. We work for the essentials of life - food, air, land, water, people, animals and plants. Our remit is the pursuit of sustainable development - weaving together economic, social and environmental concerns. Therefore, Defra:

  • brings all aspects of the environment, rural matters, farming and food production together
  • is a focal point for all rural policy, relating to people, the economy and the environment
  • has roles in both European Union and global policy making, so that its work has a strong international dimension

For more information, see:


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* Defra was formed from the then Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) and environmental and countryside business areas from the then Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
  Page last modified: 7 July 2004
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