Defra has published statistics summarising the statistics on English coastal and inland bathing waters in 2021 and their compliance with the 2013 Bathing Water Regulations. In summary, out of the 417 bathing waters measured in England: 413 (99%) met at least the minimum standard under the Regulations with 295 of these classified as ‘excellent’, 100 classified as […]
Consultation closes 11:45pm on 30 September 2021 DEFRA is seeking views on best practice guidance for developing compensatory measures in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), a future approach to strategic compensation, and how net gain and compensation can work together to deliver the best outcomes for the marine environment. The guidance has been developed as a […]
The UK Government has, today (23rd June) formally adopted the marine plans for the North West, North East, South West and South East of England. The marine plans have been produced by the Marine Management Organisation on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Accompanying each of the […]
The Government has – on 8th June 2021 – published its response to the Highly Protected Marine Areas Review which they had previously commissioned former Environment and Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon to undertake to examine whether and how the strongest protections for areas of sea, known as Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs), could be introduced. […]
Consultation close: 11:45pm on 4 June 2021 The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is carrying out a second consultation on proposals for a deposit return scheme (DRS) on drinks containers. The aim of a DRS would be to help change behaviour and encourage recycling / reduce littering. DEFRA is seeking views on: […]
England: Defra normally releases updated Bathing Water Classifications in November each year, however the 2020 results have not been published due to the pandemic affecting the amount of sampling that could take place. Defra’s press release states: “This is due to the severe impacts on bathing water monitoring and analysis caused by the Coronavirus pandemic […]
Closes Friday 19th February 2021 Since Brexit there has been a range of disruption, delays and, in the case of some products such as shellfish from Class B waters, complete cessation of trade between the UK and the EU. The EFRA Select Committee has launched an inquiry seeking both evidence from those affected by the […]
On World Ocean Day 2019, the then Defra Secretary of State, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, launched an independent review on Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) in the waters for which the Secretary of State has responsibility: the English inshore and offshore and Northern Ireland offshore zones. The review was led by former Environment and […]
As a result of the consultation which took place earlier this summer Defra has, in October 2019, published an updated Marine Strategy Part One: UK Updated Assessment and Good Environmental Status report and a separate report summarising the responses to the consultation. This consultation marked the start of the 2nd implementation cycle of the UK […]
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in partnership with Seafish and the Marine Management Organisation, is hosting a series of events across England to help seafood traders, processors and businesses prepare for Brexit by understanding the changes that lie ahead. These events are open to people and businesses involved in the processing and […]