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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
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SW1P 3JR

Communication Overview

Total releases

Number of press releases published by this department during the last 12 months, based on publicly available announcements.
424

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.
17.7

Avg word count

Average length of published press releases, measured in words. Calculated only for months where content was published.
874

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

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)

2981 articles

Showing 1-30

Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England

Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England

Friday, 20 February 2026

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

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New measures to help woodlands through improved deer management

New measures to help woodlands through improved deer management

Friday, 20 February 2026

One-third of England's woodlands now estimated to be damaged by deer, with urgent action needed to protect trees and wildlife...

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Bluetongue: latest situation

Bluetongue: latest situation

Wednesday, 18 February 2026

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

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Communities set to benefit from 13 new bathing spots proposed across England

Communities set to benefit from 13 new bathing spots proposed across England

Friday, 13 February 2026

Proposed sites include the first ever on the River Thames in London ...

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Environment Secretary speech on food security, resilience and standards

Environment Secretary speech on food security, resilience and standards

Thursday, 12 February 2026

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds' speech on Food Security, Resilience & Standards: UK Agricultural Strategy in Europe at the British Ambassador's R...

Environment Secretary at Economist Water Summit

Environment Secretary at Economist Water Summit

Wednesday, 11 February 2026

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds delivered a speech at the Economist Water Summit in London....

Floods Minister visits Somerset communities impacted by recent weather

Floods Minister visits Somerset communities impacted by recent weather

Tuesday, 10 February 2026

Emma Hardy spoke with EA officers on the ground to learn more about the response....

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Consultations open on four new fisheries management plans

Consultations open on four new fisheries management plans

Tuesday, 10 February 2026

Fisheries management plans secure the long-term sustainability of UK fish stocks...

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150 countries approve a new blueprint for business action on nature

150 countries approve a new blueprint for business action on nature

Monday, 09 February 2026

• UK hosted nature summit ends with agreement of a Business & Biodiversity Assessment to shape private sector action on nature ...

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Defra Secretary of State IPBES 12 speech

Defra Secretary of State IPBES 12 speech

Wednesday, 04 February 2026

Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds spoke at IBPES-12 on Tuesday 3 February...

Farmer productivity boost with new nutrient planning tool

Farmer productivity boost with new nutrient planning tool

Wednesday, 04 February 2026

A new nutrient planning tool has been launched to match nutrients to crop and soil need, cutting waste, supporting productivity, and protecting waterc...

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Iconic canals to be better protected with £6.5 million investment

Iconic canals to be better protected with £6.5 million investment

Wednesday, 04 February 2026

Funding will support repair, maintenance and long-term projects....

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Major international science meeting begins in Manchester 

Major international science meeting begins in Manchester 

Tuesday, 03 February 2026

Environment Secretary opens international meeting on business and biodiversity ...

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UK’s first ever plan to tackle 'forever chemicals'

UK’s first ever plan to tackle 'forever chemicals'

Tuesday, 03 February 2026

New framework will protect public health and the environment from risks posed by PFAS....

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Interim Chair appointed at Office for Environmental Protection

Interim Chair appointed at Office for Environmental Protection

Monday, 02 February 2026

The appointment comes as Dame Glenys Stacey steps down as the inaugural Chair...

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From precision bred hemp to Sunshine Tomatoes: £21.5m to drive farm innovation in England

From precision bred hemp to Sunshine Tomatoes: £21.5m to drive farm innovation in England

Saturday, 31 January 2026

£21.5m is backing 15 England-wide projects to turn new crops and low-emission farm tech into ready-to-use tools that boost productivity....

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Pet owners to benefit from biggest vet sector reforms in 60 years

Pet owners to benefit from biggest vet sector reforms in 60 years

Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Clearer pricing will help pet owners compare costs and shop around, saving families money...

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Farming rules shake up to cut pollution and support farmers

Farming rules shake up to cut pollution and support farmers

Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Streamlined agriculture rules to cut duplication and make it easier for farmers to drive down water pollution...

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Strong uptake for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier agreements

Strong uptake for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier agreements

Monday, 26 January 2026

£59m in Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier agreement extensions taken up by farmers...

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Baroness Barbara Young of Old Scone appointed as Forestry Commission Chair

Baroness Barbara Young of Old Scone appointed as Forestry Commission Chair

Monday, 26 January 2026

The new Chair will continue to drive the Forestry Commission’s efforts to protect and expand England's trees, woodlands and forests for future generat...

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UK leads global efforts to help communities save the ocean and beat poverty

UK leads global efforts to help communities save the ocean and beat poverty

Monday, 26 January 2026

New funding to protect the ocean and support communities most affected by climate change...

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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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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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