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Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

We are the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.

Enquiries

17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR

Communication Overview

Total releases

Number of press releases published by this department during the last 12 months, based on publicly available announcements.
211

Avg per month

Average number of press releases published per calendar month over the last 12 months. This smooths short-term fluctuations in publishing activity.
17.6

Avg word count

Average length of published press releases, measured in words. Calculated only for months where content was published.
868

Avg readability

Average Flesch Reading Ease score across all published press releases. Higher values indicate plainer English. Scores are indicative only and vary by subject matter.
26.1

Friday PM releases

Percentage of press releases published after 3pm on Fridays, relative to the department’s total output during the period.
2.9%

Single-release items

Estimated proportion of announcements published once, without a closely related follow-up release during the same period. This is based on similarity of titles and timing.
99.2%
Metrics are descriptive only and indicate publication patterns rather than intent or impact.

Releases per month

Based on publicly published press releases (last 12 months)

2962 articles

Showing 1-30

Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England

Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England

Thursday, 22 January 2026

Find out about the latest bird flu situation in England and guidance for bird keepers and the public....

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Millions?in?water?company?fines?to power?local led?restoration

Millions?in?water?company?fines?to power?local led?restoration

Tuesday, 20 January 2026

Water companies who broke environmental rules are now funding the recovery of England’s waterways by local?communities and environmental groups....

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Government unveils biggest overhaul to water in a generation

Government unveils biggest overhaul to water in a generation

Monday, 19 January 2026

A new once-in-a-generation plan to overhaul the water system and protect households from disruption has been unveiled today (Tuesday 20 January)....

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Emma Reynolds raises South East Water concerns with Ofwat

Emma Reynolds raises South East Water concerns with Ofwat

Wednesday, 14 January 2026

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds visits Tunbridge Wells following weeks of water supply disruption...

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Bluetongue: latest situation

Bluetongue: latest situation

Wednesday, 14 January 2026

Overview of current bluetongue cases, risk level, vaccinations and restrictions....

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Sheep carcase classification rules to deliver fairer prices for farmers

Sheep carcase classification rules to deliver fairer prices for farmers

Tuesday, 13 January 2026

New rules mandating classification and price reporting for sheep carcases come into force, bringing sector in line with beef and pork...

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Independent Chair of the Protected Landscapes Partnership appointed

Independent Chair of the Protected Landscapes Partnership appointed

Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Mary-Ann Ochota appointed for a one-year term...

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New national forest in the OxCam Corridor moves a step closer

New national forest in the OxCam Corridor moves a step closer

Monday, 12 January 2026

Bids must be able to demonstrate they have the capacity, experience, and knowledge to deliver a new national forest...

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New plans to improve welfare for laying hens and lambs

New plans to improve welfare for laying hens and lambs

Monday, 12 January 2026

New proposals to end the use of cages for laying hens and minimise pain during lamb castration and tail docking...

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Secretary of State's address to 2026 Oxford Farming Conference

Secretary of State's address to 2026 Oxford Farming Conference

Thursday, 08 January 2026

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds delivered a speech at the 2026 Oxford Farming Conference...

Tough new legal duties on water companies to cut pollution

Tough new legal duties on water companies to cut pollution

Thursday, 08 January 2026

Water companies legally required to produce pollution reduction plans for the first time, using detailed instructions published today...

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Reynolds: Backing farmers with a new era of partnership to boost farm profitability

Reynolds: Backing farmers with a new era of partnership to boost farm profitability

Wednesday, 07 January 2026

Environment Secretary announces plans at Oxford Farming Conference focusing more support on smaller farms and those without an existing agreement to d...

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First new National River Walk announced

First new National River Walk announced

Saturday, 27 December 2025

• The 21-kilometre ‘Mersey Valley Way’ is set to run from Stockport through Manchester to Trafford...

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Boxing Day swimmers buoyed by year of action to clean up waters

Boxing Day swimmers buoyed by year of action to clean up waters

Friday, 26 December 2025

2025 was landmark year of action on water, with biggest reforms in a decade....

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New Non Executive Commissioner to the Forestry Commission appointed

New Non Executive Commissioner to the Forestry Commission appointed

Tuesday, 23 December 2025

Paul Brannen appointed for a three-year term...

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Inheritance tax reliefs threshold to rise to £2.5m for farmers and businesses

Inheritance tax reliefs threshold to rise to £2.5m for farmers and businesses

Tuesday, 23 December 2025

£1m Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs threshold increased to £2.5m from April 2026 – allowing spouses or civil partners to pass on up to £5m ...

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UK secures additional £8 million in valuable fishing opportunities for 2026

UK secures additional £8 million in valuable fishing opportunities for 2026

Monday, 22 December 2025

The UK has secured bilateral fisheries agreements with Norway and the Faroe Islands for 2026, worth approximately £8 million in historic UK landing pr...

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Regional Flood and Coastal Committee Chair Appointments

Regional Flood and Coastal Committee Chair Appointments

Monday, 22 December 2025

Chair appointments for Trent, Southern and North West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee...

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Defra announces biggest animal welfare reforms in a generation?

Defra announces biggest animal welfare reforms in a generation?

Sunday, 21 December 2025

Government launches new plans to protect and improve the lives of our pets, farmed and wild animals...

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New Chair appointed to the Board of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

New Chair appointed to the Board of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Friday, 19 December 2025

Sir Andrew Steer named as Chair of the Board of Trustees...

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Appointments made to National Park Authority Boards

Appointments made to National Park Authority Boards

Friday, 19 December 2025

New board members will drive efforts to preserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and heritage of England's National Parks and Landscapes...

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Government taskforce meets in Hull to boost flood preparedness

Government taskforce meets in Hull to boost flood preparedness

Thursday, 18 December 2025

After recent flooding, which saw 18,000 properties protected during Storm Claudia, the Taskforce is focused on preparedness for the rest of winter. ...

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Nature Restoration Fund to accelerate housebuilding and improve nature

Nature Restoration Fund to accelerate housebuilding and improve nature

Thursday, 18 December 2025

• New homes to be built while nature is recovered at scale as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill receives Royal Assent ...

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Reynolds: Farmers central to Britain’s food security, rural economy and countryside

Reynolds: Farmers central to Britain’s food security, rural economy and countryside

Thursday, 18 December 2025

New Board will put farming at the heart of government decision making and back growth for British farmers...

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Unlimited fines for dog attacks on farm animals

Unlimited fines for dog attacks on farm animals

Thursday, 18 December 2025

New law strengthening protections for sheep, cows and other farm animals....

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Government launches expert led forum to protect Northern Ireland's veterinary medicine supply

Government launches expert led forum to protect Northern Ireland's veterinary medicine supply

Wednesday, 17 December 2025

Supply Coordination Forum launched to mitigate any delivery risk to Northern Ireland’s veterinary medicine supply...

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New push to unlock enough electricity to power two cities the size of London and boost nature recovery

New push to unlock enough electricity to power two cities the size of London and boost nature recovery

Wednesday, 17 December 2025

Marine Recovery Fund to get nature thriving and accelerate offshore wind development...

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New management plans to safeguard fisheries for the future

New management plans to safeguard fisheries for the future

Tuesday, 16 December 2025

Five new fisheries management plans published to maintain or restore valuable fish stocks at or to sustainable levels...

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Farmers lead the next wave of greener, smarter farming

Farmers lead the next wave of greener, smarter farming

Monday, 15 December 2025

New £2.3m fund backs 30 farm tech trials testing lower emission machinery, digital tools and peat-free compost to boost productivity and sustainabilit...

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Major potato pest eradicated from UK

Major potato pest eradicated from UK

Thursday, 11 December 2025

The Colorado beetle, a major threat to potato crops, was found in Kent in 2023...

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