Consultation Hub

The site lists consultations that are run by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. On this site you can find, share or take part in consultations. Public participation is very important to the development of our policies so please have your say.

Open Consultations

  • Consultation on UK REACH

    This public consultation on UK REACH, which launched on 16th May, will remain open throughout the pre-election period and has been extended to close on 25th July. Annex B: Use and exposure information requirements have been amended since they were published. The Government is...

    Closes 25 July 2024

  • Survey for the UK Best Available Techniques (UK BAT) in the Surface Treatment of Metals and Plastics Sector

    This survey seeks your feedback on the environmental impacts of the Surface Treatment of Metals and Plastics industry in the United Kingdom as part of the 'Best Available Techniques” (BAT) regime for regulated industry. The aim of the BAT process is to bring the UK Surface Treatment of Metals...

    Closes 7 October 2024

Closed Consultations

  • Survey for the UK Best Available Techniques (UK BAT) in the Slaughterhouses and Animal Byproducts Sector

    This survey seeks your feedback on the environmental impacts of the Slaughterhouses and Animal Byproducts industry in the United Kingdom as part of the 'Best Available Techniques” (BAT) regime for regulated industry. The aim of the BAT process is to bring the UK Slaughterhouses and Animal...

    Closed 10 July 2024

  • Survey for the UK Best Available Techniques (UK BAT) in the Ceramics Sector

    This survey seeks your feedback on the environmental impacts of the Ceramics industry in the United Kingdom as part of the 'Best Available Techniques” (BAT) regime for regulated industry. The aim of the BAT process is to bring the UK Ceramics industry up to the best standards, launching...

    Closed 10 July 2024

  • Survey for the UK Best Available Techniques (UK BAT) in the Smitheries & Foundries Sector

    This survey seeks your feedback on the environmental impacts of the Smitheries and Foundries industry in the United Kingdom as part of the 'Best Available Techniques” (BAT) regime for regulated industry. The aim of the BAT process is to bring the UK Smitheries and Foundries industry up to the...

    Closed 10 July 2024

  • Food and Drink Assimilated Law Consultation

    Foreword Leaving the European Union (EU) has given us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to review how we make and shape the United Kingdom’s (UK) regulatory framework for food and drink. We are in the process of evaluating assimilated laws inherited from the EU – previously known as...

    Closed 25 June 2024

  • Open access restriction at West Nab (case number 2014037142) Variation

    The Peak District National Park Authority is seeking views on proposals that will restrict public access to open access land at this site. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act) gives a public right of access to land mapped as ‘open country’ (mountain, moor, heath and down) or...

    Closed 21 June 2024

We Asked, You Said, We Did

Here are 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.

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.