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[[Image:DefraLogo.gif|right|140px]] | [[Image:DefraLogo.gif|right|140px]] | ||
The '''Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs''' ('''Defra''') is the governmental department responsible for protection of the [[Environment (natural)|environmental protection]], food production and standards, [[agriculture]], [[fisheries]] and rural matters in the [[United Kingdom]] (UK). Agreements (called ''concordats'') define the frameworks for co-operation between Defra and the [[Scottish Government]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/devolve/concord.htm|title=Concordat between MAFF and the Scottish Executive}}</ref> the [[National Assembly for Wales]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/devolve/walesconc.htm|title=Concordat between MAFF and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales}}</ref> and the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]], | The '''Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs''' ('''Defra''') is the governmental department responsible for protection of the [[Environment (natural)|environmental protection]], food production and standards, [[agriculture]], [[fisheries]] and rural matters in the [[United Kingdom]] (UK). Agreements (called ''concordats'') define the frameworks for co-operation between Defra and the [[Scottish Government]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/devolve/concord.htm|title=Concordat between MAFF and the Scottish Executive}}</ref> the [[National Assembly for Wales]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/devolve/walesconc.htm|title=Concordat between MAFF and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales}}</ref> and the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]], each of whom have certain responsibilities for these matters in their respective nations. | ||
Defra represents the UK at the [[European Union]] (EU) on agricultural, fisheries and environment matters. It also represents the UK in international negotiations on sustainable development. | Defra represents the UK at the [[European Union]] (EU) on agricultural, fisheries and environment matters. It also represents the UK in international negotiations on sustainable development. | ||
Revision as of 18:27, 10 August 2009
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the governmental department responsible for protection of the environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural matters in the United Kingdom (UK). Agreements (called concordats) define the frameworks for co-operation between Defra and the Scottish Government,[1] the National Assembly for Wales[2] and the Northern Ireland Assembly, each of whom have certain responsibilities for these matters in their respective nations.
Defra represents the UK at the European Union (EU) on agricultural, fisheries and environment matters. It also represents the UK in international negotiations on sustainable development.
The department's main headquarters is located in Smith Square, London.
History
Defra was formed in June 2001 when the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) was merged with part of the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) and with a small part of the Home Office. The department was created after the perceived failure of MAFF to deal adequately with the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in 2001. As of 2008, Defra had about 9,000 core personnel.
In October 2008, the climate group from Defra was merged with the energy group from the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) to create the Department of Energy and Climate Change.[3]
Organization
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with the assistance of the Minister of State for Food, Farming and Environment, has the overall leadership responsibility for all aspects of Defra.[4]
The day-to-day excutive management of the departmental consists of the following personnel:
- The Permanent Secretary: Responsible for the overall organization, management and staffing of the department as well as for all financial and other procedures. Also chairs a Management Board comprised of:[4]
- Director General: Chair of the Central Approvals Panel
- Director General: Strategy and Evidence Group
- Director General: Food and Farming Group
- Director General: Natural Environment Group
- Director General: Law, Human Resources and Corporate Services
- Chief Scientific Advisor
Executive agencies
The executive agencies are:[5]
- Animal Health (launched on 2 April 2007), formerly the State Veterinary Service[6]
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
- Food and Environment Research Agency (until April 2009 was called the Central Science Laboratory)
- Government Decontamination Service
- Marine and Fisheries Agency
- Rural Payments Agency
- Veterinary Laboratories Agency
- Veterinary Medicines Directorate
Key delivery partners
The key delivery partners are:[7]
- British Waterways
- Environment Agency
- Forestry Commission
- Natural England (launched on 11 October 2006), formerly English Nature and elements of the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service.[8]
A full list of departmental delivery and public bodies may be found on the Defra website.[9]
Aim and strategic priorities
Defra's overarching aim is sustainable development, which is defined as "development which enables all people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life without compromising the quality of life of future generations." The Secretary of State wrote in a letter to the Prime Minister that he saw Defra’s mission as enabling a move toward what the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has called "one planet living".[10]
Under this overarching aim, Defra has five strategic priorities:[11]
- Climate change and energy.
- Sustainable consumption and production, including responsibility for the National Waste Strategy.
- Protecting the countryside and natural resource protection.
- Sustainable rural communities.
- A sustainable farming and food sector including animal health and welfare.
See also
- Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland)
- UK Dispersion Modelling Bureau
- Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department
References
- ↑ Concordat between MAFF and the Scottish Executive.
- ↑ Concordat between MAFF and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales.
- ↑ Harrabin, Roger. Marrying energy demand and supply, BBC News, 3 October 2008. Retrieved on 2009-05-22.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Who are we? (from the Defra website)
- ↑ "Defra's Executive Agencies", Chapter 5, Departmental Report 2006 (from the Defra website)
- ↑ "Launch of Animal Health", news release by Animal Health, 2 April 2007 (from the Defra website)
- ↑ "Working with others: Defra's delivery partners", Chapter 6, Departmental Report 2006 (from the Defra website)
- ↑ "New champion for the environment launches", press release by Natural England, 11 October 2006 (from the Natural England website)
- ↑ Delivery Landscape Map.
- ↑ "My priorities for Defra", David Miliband's letter to the Prime Minister, 11 July 2006
- ↑ "Delivering the Essentials of Life: Defra’s Five Year Strategy", Annex B