Open consultations from Defra
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Poultry Catching and Handling Consultation (Ymgynghoriad ar ddal a thrin dofednod)
Assimilated Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations ('Regulation 1/2005’) does not currently include manual lifting and carrying (‘catching’) by two legs, for the purpose of transportation in connection with an economic activity, as a...
Closes 2 May 2025
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Exemption for lead in bearings and bushes of diesel or gaseous powered ices
The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012 (RoHS regulations) restricts the use of 10 hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), with a view to contributing to the protection of human health and the...
Closes 4 May 2025
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Exemption for lead solder in control units of combustion engines
The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012 (RoHS regulations) restricts the use of 10 hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), with a view to contributing to the protection of human health and the...
Closes 4 May 2025
All closed activities from Defra, including our agencies & bodies
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Land Use Consultation
The Government is consulting on our vision for land use in England and how to deliver it. This consultation will inform the development of a Land Use Framework. To submit your consultation response please: complete the consultation questionnaire through the link below, or follow...
Closed 25 April 2025
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Independent Water Commission – Call for Evidence
The Call for Evidence sets out the areas where the Independent Water Commission is seeking views in relation to the water sector in England and Wales. It outlines the current issues based on the evidence the Commission has gathered so far, and areas for potential change that the...
Closed 23 April 2025
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Plant Varieties and Seeds Framework for Precision Bred Plant Varieties
Precision b reeding technologies are modern tools for plant breeding that can develop new beneficial traits more efficiently and precisely than traditional breeding. The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 , establishes a new class of regulated products: Precision...
Closed 14 April 2025
We Asked, You Said, We Did
Find out more about some of the issues we have consulted on and their outcomes. See all outcomes
We asked
Between 6 Feb and 18 March 2024, Natural England consulted on a proposal to change the fees levied under the Wildlife Licence Charges (England) order 2018.
We asked your views on proposed updates to survey and mitigation licence charges. We also asked for your views on priorities for improving the licensing service.
The changes are required because of HM Treasury principles that mean Natural England must ensure full cost recovery. We also need to introduce charges for new licensing routes, and fund improvements to the licensing service.
You said
Most consultees did not support the proposed charges for bat mitigation licence fees.
However, most of you did support the proposed charges for survey licences fees, and mitigation licence fees for species other than bat.
On improving the licensing service, you said that improving species protection was the most important issue. Second and third most important were improving certainty around when a licence will be issued, and speed of licence issue.
We did
In response, we have reduced the proposed fees for some bat mitigation licences. For other licences, we propose to keep the fees as listed in the consultation.
We have published a consultation response. This has an analysis of the results, addresses your comments, and outlines our next steps. Our first action will be to seek ministerial approval for the proposed charges. If approved by a minister, we will work with Defra to get parliamentary approval for a new Statutory Instrument.
Update 28 March 2025
The new Statutory Instrument has come into force: The Wildlife Licence Charges (England) Order 2025. New fees will be charged from 1st April 2025.
We asked
To start the process of replacing the East Marine Plans, as agreed by the Secretary of State in April 2023, and approval to consult on the East Marine Plan Draft Statemnet of Public Particiaption. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) held a formal consultation between 15 January 2024 and 12 February 2024.
Four engagement events were held during the consultation period, which were attended by a wide range of stakeholders from various sectors.
You said
The consensus from the consultation was that the Statement of Public Particiaption generally meets the requirements of stakeholders. No changes were required to the Draft East Marine Plan Statement of Public Participation directly however, minor changes have been made to the corresponding gov.uk webpages to reflect the representations made by stakeholders.
We did
Following the consultation on the East Marine Plan Draft Statement of Public Participation, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has agreed to publish the East Marine Plan Statement of Public Participation.
You can review the East marine Plan Statement of Public Participation and learn more about the process of replacing the East Marine Plan on the marine planning webpages.
We asked
Defra consulted on establishing permitting regimes for the recreational targeting of bluefin tuna (BFT) in UK waters.
You said
Of the 167 responses, the vast majority of respondents (139, 83%), across all interested groups, broadly supported the proposed design for the new UK permitting regimes for the recreational targeting of BFT.
Of those respondents not in favour, the vast majority supported the concept of recreational BFT fisheries but had specific concerns about the proposed design.
We did
On the basis of the strong support to the consultation for new UK permitting regimes for the recreational targeting of BFT, Defra will bring forward the necessary legislation.
Each UK fisheries administration (FA) will determine if, and when, to introduce a BFT catch and release recreational fishery (CRRF) in its waters. We intend to open a BFT CRRF in English waters in 2024.
Our full Government response is available on GOV.UK.
We asked
Defra consulted on the scope of animal health and welfare offences that could be covered by penalty notices and elements on how the penalty regime might work in practice
You said
More than 85% of respondents to the consultation supported the view that penalty notices could be a proportionate tool to ensure compliance with animal health and welfare regulations and supported the use of penalty notices to enforce regulations across different areas of animal health and welfare legislation.
We did
As a result, we will introduce legislation to make penalty notices available as an enforcement option for named enforcers to use where appropriate for specified offences across animal health and welfare legislation.
We asked
Are new management measures required in Lyme Bay to protect the sole fishery?
You said
Yes, additional management is required.
We did
In brief, MMO will:
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Create a new vessel licence condition requiring enhanced visibility and identification of passive gear
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Publish a form for reporting lost and found gear that can be used without the need for names in order to improve data on the frequency of these events
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Set a reduced sole catch limit of 200kg for non-sector vessels fishing with scallop dredges in ICES area 7e
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Hold discussions with Producer Organisations about ways members can reduce sole bycatch when fishing with dredges
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Support additional research to understand the potential need, benefits and risks of changes to minimum landing sizes or gear configurations
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Facilitate a meeting for representative industry members to discuss the potential for separating areas of Lyme Bay for use by different fishing methods at different times of the year. It will be hosted by MMO in early 2024.
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