What's new

What's new on this site

14 July 2006

• Animal health requirements for the movement of circus animals between EU Member States: consultation on the implementation of EU Regulation 1739/2005

13 July 2006

• Environment Secretary David Miliband welcomes DFID's White Paper
• Bradshaw calls for world action to save deep sea ecosystems
• Deadline for dry cleaning permit applications is approaching
• Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia update: further relaxation of fish movement restrictions in the Yorkshire Ouse catchment 322/06
• Climate change champions join Environment Minister Ian Pearson at major climate change youth summit
• Speech by Ben Bradshaw to the Beacon Council Learning Exchange, London
• Consultation: proposed increase in the fee for a pollution application for some dry cleaners

12 July 2006

• Consultation on CAP wine reform - European Commission Communication 'Towards a sustainable European wine sector'
• Launch of Industry/Government consultation on sharing responsibilities and costs of exotic animal disease
• Huge response to badger culling consultation - reports published

11 July 2006

• Government contracts to be placed for supply of avian influenza vaccine
• Letter from David Miliband to Prime Minister - "My priorities for Defra"
• Ministerial Statement by Ben Bradshaw on vaccine supply tender

10 July 2006

• Speech by Ian Pearson at the Local Government Association "Greening Communities" workshop, Bournemouth

7 July 2006

• French trawler fined for illegal fishing in UK waters
• £2 million funding approved for fish market
• UK pioneers global cooperation to secure the future

6 July 2006

• Whale and dolphin strandings down - 2004/2005
• Consultation and regulatory impact assessment on the veterinary regulation of quarantine of captive birds from outside the EU, and full cost recovery A news release has been issued.
• 2004 environmental protection expenditure by UK industry

4 July 2006

• Miliband speech to LGA conference - "Power devolved is energy released". A news release has been issued.
• Defra response to OFWAT action on Thames Water
• UK's largest man-made wetland created in Essex
• Research published on the breeding structure of the british sheep industry 2003

3 July 2006

• Miliband plans a partnership for prosperity and the planet
• Speech by Rt Hon David Miliband MP - "One planet farming" at the Royal Agricultural Show
• Defra warns of continuing summer smog

2 July 2006

• Miliband: long-term international framework and goal sought to combat climate change
• The July edition of Farming Link is now available

1 July 2006

• We have made a number of changes to the farming section of this website

30 June 2006

• Outbreak of bacterial kidney disease in fish
• Revision of Defra's current "fertiliser recommendation system"
• Applying for waste exemption online with the Whole Farm Approach
• Discharge of effluent to the English Channel at Brighton and Hove - call in request turned down
• Wine Standards Board merges with Food Standards Agency

29 June 2006

• UK announces measures to move to low carbon economy
• New powers to curb noise from late-night pubs and clubs

28 June 2006

• Speech by Ian Pearson at the Energy Efficiency Partnership For Homes Annual Conference, London
• Consultation on draft guidance and proposals for the permitted levels of noise under the Noise Act 1996
• Statutory levies retained in radical restructuring of levy boards
• Tap water results welcomed
• Every action counts - Miliband urges green effort from voluntary groups

27 June 2006

• UK beam trawler fined for fishing in a closed area
• Public urged to remain vigilant to hazards of pesticide poisoning
• Outbreak of Koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease
• No national compulsory water metering plans says Pearson
• Speech by Mr Ian Pearson MP at the Chatham House Conference on Climate Change in a Post 2012 World, London
• Enforcement action taken against a horticultural retailer for illegal sale, supply and advertisement of unapproved pesticides

26 June 2006

• Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia update: first round negative tests and partial relaxation of movement restrictions
• Home-Grown Cereals Authority appointments
• Annual cereals and oilseed levy rates 2006
• Consultation on the reasonable steps that a labour user should take to check that a labour provider is licensed

22 June 2006

• School fruit and vegetable scheme: spring term results of pesticide residues testing
• Pesticide Residues Committee - fourth quarter report 2005
• Pesticide Forum 2005 Annual Report
• Oral Statement by David Miliband, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on the Rural Payments Agency
• Defra-funded review is published on the biological containment of GM crops

21 June 2006

• Speech by Ian Pearson MP for the fourth international Energy Efficiency In Domestic Appliances and Lighting Conference
• Face-to-face meat and fish trade given go ahead at New Covent Garden Market
• Retailers summit: government to encourage retailers to cut greenhouse gas emissions from consumer electrical goods

20 June 2006

• Water supply in the long term - Water Saving Group outlines progress on action plan
• Modernised Sea Fisheries Committees to deliver improved inshore fisheries management in the future
• Laboratory strategy programme: next steps marine scientists heading for a new home in Suffolk
• Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia update - virus detected in grayling sample
• Outbreak of kidney disease in fish

19 June 2006

• Encouraging signs for UK's threatened biodiversity

16 June 2006

• Rural Affairs Minister Barry Gardiner attends international climate change talks in South Africa
• Government opens new front in climate campaign: climate challenge fund winners announced

15 June 2006

• £40 million to help Cheshire slash landfill waste
• UK welcomes European salmonella survey
• Farm Animal Welfare Council report on welfare labelling
• Speech by Mr Ian Pearson MP to the Institute of Economic Affairs Annual Water Conference, London

14 June 2006

• Speech by Barry Gardiner MP at launch of Commission for Rural Communities report - 'Rural Disadvantages - Priorities for Action'

13 June 2006

• Air quality monitoring - UK equipment study published

12 June 2006

• Speech by Barry Gardiner MP on "A New Rural Agenda: Moving in from the Margins" at the IPPR North conference, London
• Government signals a step-change on environmentally sustainable behaviour
• Consultation on promoting an integrated approach to coastal zone management (ICZM) in England

9 June 2006

• Defra warns of first "summer smog" of 2006

8 June 2006

• Precautionary powers in place to stop the spread of Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
• Consultation on amending the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 to permit the use of gas outside of a slaughterhouse. A news release was also issued.
• Elliot Morley new role on Gleneagles climate change dialogue
• Speech made by Ian Pearson MP at the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, Droitwich Spa
• Workers have the power to help save the environment

7 June 2006

• Defra announces review to assure legal and sustainable timber procurement

6 June 2006

• Defra publishes research on potential impact of CAP reform on tenant farmers
• Speech by Jeff Rooker on Sustainable consumption and production and the financing of eco-innovation
• Speech by David Miliband on Public services and public goods: lessons for reform

2 June 2006

• Household numbers on fuel poverty remain steady despite rise in fuel prices
• British-Irish Council Summit: Environment Ministers agree to improve links on climate change impacts and adaptation

1 June 2006

• Outbreak of Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
• Government agrees to extend funding for National Fallen Stock Scheme
• Statement on water meeting

31 May 2006

• Ian Pearson sets out joint approach with legislators for tackling climate change
• Notifiable fish disease confirmed on a trout farm in Yorkshire
• New regulations to protect wildlife come into force

29 May 2006

• Wild boar consultation analysis of responses published

27 May 2006

• UK urges UN to strengthen the conservation and management of global fish stocks

25 May 2006

• 2006 Departmental report published.
• Seven key successes and several key challenges in Defra's departmental report
• UK announces funding for international tiger symposium
• Youth Hostels win first green awards
• Southern water and mid Kent water drought orders granted. A written statement has been made.
• Content of UK family shopping baskets revealed

24 May 2006

• Government response published to Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution 25th report "Turning the tide" A news release has been issued.
• Climate change and biodiversity in Europe

23 May 2006

• Pioneering "lab on a chip" to test for multiple viruses
• Consultation on Outdoors for All? - Draft Diversity Action Plan. A news release has also been issued.

22 May 2006

• European fisheries agreement with Morocco
• Gardiner announces £84,000 in biodiversity grants
• Advisory Committee on Packaging seeks new member
• Minister challenges people to "do their bit for biodiversity"

19 May 2006

• Consultation on horse passports: new EU proposed Regulation on the identification of horses
• Consultation on proposed amendments to the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 (“the PPC regulations”)

17 May 2006

• Speech by the Rt Hon David Miliband MP at the Green Alliance, London about the challenge of climate change
• Government welcomes report on affordable rural housing
• Fishermen to get funds for life saving kit

16 May 2006

• French Trawler fined £20,000 for illegal fishing in UK waters
• One thousand Organic Entry Level Stewardship applications received

15 May 2006

• UK fishing vessel ordered to pay £16,645 for illegal fishing
• Fishing vessels convicted of illegal fishing in UK waters
• Chief Veterinary Officer's 2005 annual report published
• Sutton & East Surrey drought order granted
• Extra help for poorest performers as recycling targets are increased
• Emissions trading scheme: EU publishes first year results

12 May 2006

• Consultation on a review of the England Forestry Strategy. A news release has also been issued.
• French trawler fined for illegal fishing in UK waters
• Miliband calls for contract for climate change - the Prime Minister's letter to David Miliband following his appointment as Secretary of State has also been published

11 May 2006

• Defra's £400,000 for fisheries science projects
• Nine young climate change champions for England unveiled

10 May 2006

• Campaigns to reduce gum litter get under way
• Naval fisheries protection vessel visits London

9 May 2006

• Launch of the "Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change" book in the US
• Speech by Barry Gardiner at National Migrant Worker Conference at Congress House, London
• Dutch fishing vessel ordered to pay £14,000 for illegal fishing in UK waters
• Consultation: Increase in maximum weight of cereal seed lots (excluding maize) - consequential amendment of the Cereal Seed (England) Regulations 2002
• Buncefield air quality findings published
• Defra responds to independent review on BSE controls
• Written Statement by David Miliband, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on the Rural Payments Agency
• Gardiner: migrant workers bring real benefits and challenges to rural communities

8 May 2006

• Habitats Directive consultation launched
• Consultation on Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2006
• Consultation on the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2006
• Moving towards the future of rural funding - public consultation ends in two weeks
• Welfare of animals during transport: consultation on the implementation of EU Regulation 1/2005. A news release has also been issued.

5 May 2006

• David Miliband appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - also news story with details of Ministerial appointments
• Minister acts to remove threat of penalties from farmers
• Minister approves application for exchange of common land

4 May 2006

• Additional help for rural stress organisations

3 May 2006

• British beef back on the international menu
• Written Ministerial Statement by Ben Bradshaw, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, providing an update on the finding of low pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza in Norfolk
• Lord Bach's speech to launch the Foresight technical conference

2 May 2006

• Marine Fisheries Agency's first appearance at fish festival
• Buyers have the power - business, government and consumers share responsibility: Margaret Beckett
• New rights of way legislation comes into force

See also this archive to older "what's new" information.