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748 results

  • Bovine TB in non-bovine farmed animals: call for views

    In April 2014 the Government published ‘The Strategy for Achieving Officially Bovine Tuberculosis-Free status for England’[1]. This includes deploying a package of interventions, informed by scientific and veterinary advice, to address all likely routes of transmission of Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), the bacterium responsible for bovine tuberculosis. This call for views is the starting point for considering what more should be done to address TB in non-bovine animals. ... More
    Opened 28 August 2015

  • Draft Air Quality Plans

    This consultation seeks views on draft plans to improve air quality. The Government’s primary driver for action on air quality is the impact it can have on health and the environment. A cleaner, healthier environment benefits people and the economy. The plans set out actions being planned or implemented at local, regional and national levels to meet the annual and hourly EU limit values for nitrogen dioxide in the shortest possible time. This consultation applies to England, Wales... More
    Opened 12 September 2015

  • Consultation on the implementation of amendments to the environmental permitting guidance on waste incineration

    On 16 July 2015 the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs Rory Stewart announced that as part of the commitment to cleaner air the Government would amend the current Environmental Permitting Guidance – the Waste Incineration Directive document to state clearly that all waste incineration plants and waste co-incineration plants burning waste oils in England and Wales fall under the scope of Chapter IV of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED). This change... More
    Opened 14 September 2015

  • Consultation on the Large Combustion Plants (Transitional National Plan) Regulations 2015

    This consultation focuses on the Large Combustion Plants (Transitional National Plan) Regulations 2015, which will provide the legal basis for the implementation of the UK Transitional National Plan (TNP) from 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2020. The Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) allows certain large combustion plants (LCPs) an additional four and a half years in which to make the necessary investments in emissions abatement technology to achieve compliance with the stringent IED... More
    Opened 14 September 2015

  • New basic rules for farmers to tackle diffuse water pollution from agriculture in England

    The Government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and improving the environment is delivered through a range of tools, initiatives and best practice. These aim to protect and improve the water environment and support competitive agriculture. We need a combination of different actions to tackle agricultural diffuse pollution of water effectively. Some action will happen as a result of advice and incentives such as through the new Countryside Stewardship scheme, or through... More
    Opened 30 September 2015

  • The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (England) Regulations 2016

    This consultation seeks views on proposals to consolidate and update existing legislation: The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (England) Regulations 2007, as amended (the 2007 Regulations), governing the exploitation, bottling and marketing of natural mineral water, spring water and other bottled drinking water. The following measures are being discussed: • Consolidation of existing legislation which has been amended a number of times to reflect... More
    Opened 2 October 2015

  • APHA seeks views on the proposed introduction of new fees for statutory services

    * Update 10 April 2018 - Consultation Report published Between 26 October 2015 and 14 December 2015 APHA consulted on proposals to introduce new fees for some statutory services as set out below. We are grateful for the interest shown in the proposals. A summary of the responses can be found on the Government website at GOV.UK . The summary includes a list of names and organisations that responded but not personal names, addresses or other contact details.... More
    Opened 26 October 2015

  • APHA seeks views on the proposed revision of existing fees for statutory services

    * Update 10 April 2018 - Consultation Report published Between 26 October 2015 and 14 December 2015 APHA consulted on proposals to introduce new fees for some statutory services as set out below. We are grateful for the interest shown in the proposals. A summary of the responses can be found on the Government website at GOV.UK . The summary includes a list of names and organisations that responded but not... More
    Opened 26 October 2015

  • Proposals to amend the governance structure of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

    Defra are inviting views on proposed amendments to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (VSA) regarding the current governance structure of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the statutory regulator of the veterinary profession. Please see the consultation letter and consultation background document for further information. How to respond: Please visit our online survey link below. Alternatively, if you wish to respond by other means, please contact us at ... More
    Opened 29 October 2015

  • Consultation on the initial findings of the Review of the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010

    The Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations came into force on 6 April 2010 and have been in force now for five years. The Government, in line with its commitment to review all new regulations after they have been in force for a period of time, is undertaking a review of their effectiveness. The original objectives of the Regulations were to ensure that all greyhound tracks in England were covered by the same minimum welfare standards and the traceability of racing greyhounds was... More
    Opened 6 November 2015

  • Stage II Petrol Vapour Recovery during Refuelling of Motor Vehicles at Service Stations

    Petrol contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which evaporate inside the fuel tank of a vehicle and fill the air space above the liquid fuel. When a vehicle is refuelled, these vapours are forced out from the fuel tank by the incoming fuel and, unless controlled, escape into the atmosphere through the filler neck of the fuel tank. The UK Government has committed to invest in cleaner air for all. Emissions of VOCs contribute to the formation of low level ozone, a major air pollutant.... More
    Opened 20 November 2015

  • Review of Local Air Quality Management: Changes to guidance and reporting

    This consultation invites views on Government measures to improve delivery of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) in England. These detailed proposals are a result of the last LAQM review consultation concluded in January 2015. The consultation is aimed principally at air quality practitioners in England, but we want to hear views from as wide a range of interested parties as possible. The Technical Guidance referred to is a UK-wide document, for which the draft version has been updated... More
    Opened 26 November 2015

  • Consultation on changes to the plastic packaging recycling business targets for 2016 & 2017 and new plastic and glass targets for 2018-20

    Packaging Regulations :consultation on changes to the plastic packaging recycling business targets for 2016-17 and new targets for plastic and glass for 2018-20. We want to know what you think about our plans to amend business targets under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations. The regulations require producers of packaging to ensure that a proportion of the packaging they handle is recovered and recycled. The proposed changes would amend plastic packaging... More
    Opened 26 November 2015

  • Consultation on rules for mobile crushing of lamps that contain mercury

    We are seeking views and comments on options for the regulation of mobile lamp crushing, including replacing the T17 exemption with the requirement for an environmental permit. More
    Opened 14 December 2015

  • Water supply and sewerage licensing regime: standard licences conditions and the approach to secondary legislation

    The Water Act 2014 (WA14) introduces reforms to the water supply licensing regime (the “WSL”) that will allow the water sector to achieve increased resilience, increased customer choice and support economic growth. These include changes that will allow more competition in the retail market for non-household water and sewerage services. The reformed WSL will be known as the water supply and sewerage licensing regime (the “WSSL”). This consultation is published alongside drafts of... More
    Opened 17 December 2015

  • Defra Guidance & Data Reforms: Costs, Benefits and Early Feedback

    Inviting views on the costs and benefits to business and civil society from reform of Defra guidance and information requests, plus feedback from stakeholders on their recent experience of using Defra online guidance and reporting information to Defra and its agencies. Over time, the accumulation of guidance documents and information requirements by Defra and its agencies has made it difficult for businesses, particularly small businesses, to understand and comply with the relevant... More
    Opened 17 December 2015

  • Consultation on the review of animal establishments licensing in England

    Local authorities are required by law to issue licences for specific animal-related establishments and activities, with the aim of maintaining good standards of animal welfare. There is a registration requirement for performing animals, and licensing systems for pet shops, animal boarding, riding establishments and dog breeding. We estimate that there are approximately 2,300 licensed pet shops, 650 licensed dog breeders, 1,800 licensed riding establishments, and 6,300 licensed animal... More
    Opened 20 December 2015

  • Changes to UK legislation on efficiency of EfW plants to reflect changes to the Waste Framework Directive from Commission Directive (EU) 2015/1127

    Defra and the Welsh Government are making changes to UK legislation to implement new EU Directive 2015/1127 which introduces an amendment to the R1 energy efficiency formula in Annex II of the EU Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) [1] (“the Waste Directive”). The consultation outlines these changes in detail, when these changes will take effect and seeks views on whether stakeholders agree with the way we intend to make these changes. [1] Directive... More
    Opened 5 January 2016

  • Changes to water abstraction licensing exemptions in England and Wales: New Authorisations

    We invite your views on proposed changes to water abstraction licensing exemptions in England and Wales. Defra, the Welsh Government, the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales are consulting jointly on our intended approach to remove most exemptions from water abstraction licensing and bring these abstractions under licensing control (New Authorisations). Water abstraction is the process of taking water directly from surface water, such as rivers, or ground water. Abstraction can... More
    Opened 15 January 2016

  • Proposal to remove Rock from the list of bathing waters

    The Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) protects bathers' health at popular beaches and inland waters by requiring water quality to be monitored for intestinal enterococci and E.coli during the bathing season, which in England runs from 15 May to 30 September. The Directive applies to waters that are used by a large number of bathers and where bathing is supported and promoted by the local authority or private owner. If a bathing water is de-designated, monitoring for bathing water... More
    Opened 21 January 2016

  • Proposal to designate West Runton as a bathing water

    The Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) protects bathers' health at popular beaches and inland waters by requiring water quality to be monitored for intestinal enterococci and E.coli during the bathing season, which in England runs from 15 May to 30 September. The Directive applies to waters that are used by a large number of bathers and where bathing is supported and promoted by the local authority or private owner. We have received an application from North Norfolk District Council for... More
    Opened 21 January 2016

  • Drinking Water Regulations 2016

    This consultation seeks views on draft regulations which revoke and replace the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000 (as amended) and the Private Water Supplies Regulations 2009 (as amended). We intend to lay the draft regulations in spring/summer 2016. The legislation is being updated primarily to transpose the monitoring requirements of the Euratom Directive (Council Directive 2013/51/Euratom of 22 October 2013) which provides for more efficient monitoring for radioactive... More
    Opened 1 February 2016

  • National Flood Resilience Review Call for Evidence

    Background Following Storm Desmond last December, the government launched a National Flood Resilience Review. The review will be chaired by Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Letwin. The Review will assess how the country can be better protected from future flooding and increasingly extreme weather events. It will focus on four key areas: updating our climate modelling and stress-testing the nation’s resilience to flood risk; assessing the resilience of our important... More
    Opened 2 February 2016

  • Consultation on a set of specific proposed changes to official statistics produced by the Defra group

    The Defra group (the core department, together with our agencies and arm’s length bodies) produces and uses a wide range of official statistics. They are used internally to inform policy making and operational delivery and are shared externally, so that others can use the information. We need to keep the statistics relevant and up to date. Requirements are changing across the full range of users of our statistics and - if anything - becoming more complex. New technologies; open data and... More
    Opened 25 February 2016

  • Consolidation of the Packaging Regulations

    This is the statutory consultation regarding Defra’s intention to consolidate the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 (the PWR 2007). New SIs are continually being proposed and developed. This consolidation brings together those in existence since 2007, in order to reduce complexity (e.g. by deferring procedural details to the Schedules), on occasion providing greater clarity of language where there is ambiguity and making the Regulations more... More
    Opened 23 March 2016

  • Proposal to remove Silloth from the list of bathing waters

    The Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) protects bathers' health at popular beaches and inland waters by requiring water quality to be monitored for intestinal enterococci and E.coli during the bathing season, which in England runs from 15 May to 30 September. The Directive applies to waters that are used by a large number of bathers and where bathing is supported and promoted by the local authority or private owner. If a bathing water is de-designated, monitoring for bathing water... More
    Opened 6 May 2016

  • Flood Risk Management and Modelling Competition

    During the course of the government’s National Flood Resilience Review , a wide variety of potential approaches to flood risk management have been highlighted, including new techniques and models for assessing land use, water flow, natural flood management, meteorological sensitivities, property-level resilience and economic impacts. At the same time, Defra’s accelerated open data programme is bringing over 8,000 environmental data sets into the public... More
    Opened 26 May 2016

  • Water industry: draft guidance to Ofwat for water and sewerage connections charges

    Water and sewerage Undertakers have a duty to allow new connections to be made to existing water and sewerage networks, including for new housing development. The Water Industry Act 1991 provides for Undertakers to charge for new connections to the network, and for associated work. Since coming into force, the legislation has been interpreted differently by Undertakers. This has impacted upon customers, in particular developers, but connection charges can also apply to self-builds,... More
    Opened 10 June 2016

  • Enhanced bovine TB surveillance and controls in the High Risk and Edge Areas of England

    Bovine TB is the most pressing and costly animal health problem in the UK. The disease threatens our cattle industry and presents a risk to other livestock and also to wildlife species (mainly badgers), pets and humans. The Government remains determined to eradicate bovine TB. This is the latest in a series of consultation exercises aimed at introducing sensible and proportionate TB control measures in cattle that will, when combined with measures to address the TB risk posed by badgers,... More
    Opened 30 August 2016

  • Bovine TB: tackling infection in pigs, sheep, goats, captive deer and South American camelids

    Bovine TB is the most pressing and costly animal health problem in the UK. The disease threatens our cattle industry and presents a risk to other livestock, as well as wildlife species, pets and humans. The Government remains determined to eradicate bovine TB, including through a comprehensive programme of interventions, as set out in the Strategy for achieving Officially Bovine Tuberculosis Free (OTF) status for England, which was published in April 2014 and can be found at ... More
    Opened 30 August 2016
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