DEFRA updates its Single Departmental Plan

DEFRA has published an updated Single Departmental Plan, setting out its objectives and how it intends to achieve them.

The department’s objectives are to:

• deliver a safe and ambitious departure from the EU, setting global standards in protecting and harnessing value from the natural environment;

• pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future;

• lead the world in food and farming with a sustainable model of food production; and

• become an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference, with world class delivery capability.

DEFRA pointed out its agenda includes three flagship Bills: the Environment Bill, to embed environmental ambition and accountability at the heart of government; the Agriculture Bill, to reward farmers for tackling the causes and effects of climate change and enhancing the environment; and the Fisheries Bill, to manage stocks more sustainably and protect waters. It also highlighted the government’s ambition to leave the environment in a better state than it found it: “This year – our Year of Green Action – we will push on with our legislation while continuing to deliver on the wider commitments in our 25 Year Environment Plan, including tackling plastic pollution and clean air.”