The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is a Government Department in the UK.
We cover – we make policy and legislation, and work with others to deliver our policies in - areas such as:
- the natural environment, biodiversity, plants and animals
- sustainable development and the green economy
- food, farming and fisheries
- animal health and welfare
- environmental protection and pollution control
- rural communities and issues.
Although we only work directly in England, we work closely with the devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and we generally lead on negotiations in the EU and internationally.
- Read more about the Department, including key facts and figures
- Read more about our priorities and objectives
The Government believes that we need to protect the environment for future generations, make our economy more environmentally sustainable, and improve our quality of life and well-being. We also believe that much more needs to be done to support the farming industry, protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable food production.
Members
Dr Ailsa Benton
Air Quality Science Policy Advisor
Professor Ian Boyd
Chief Scientific Adviser
Nigel Campbell
Head of Delivery Analysis and Defra Covid Data
Iain Carter
Special Adviser and Chief of Staff to the Secretary of State
Emily Cattell
Deputy Director, Animal, Plant Heath and welfare
Sarah Church
Director, Food and Farming
Georgina Collins
Deputy Director for Floods, Water and CBRN Emergencies
Lucia Costanzo
Senior Manager, Engagement | Joint Air Quality Unit | Defra/DfT
John Curnow
Chief Economist
Henry Dieudonné-Demaria
Former Lead, Climate Strategy
Paul Edmunton
Head of Food Strategy and Partnerships
Dr Tracie Evans
Head of Natural Science Strategy, Environmental Land Management team
Tamara Finkelstein
Permanent Secretary
Tom George
Head of Food Security
Dr Steve Gibson
Head of Policy and Outcomes, Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment Programme
Davina Henderson
Chief of Staff to the Permanent Secretary
David Hill
Director General, Environment
Elizabeth Hurley
Deputy Director
Nick Joicey
Second Permanent Secretary
Nia Jones
Senior Scientific Officer for Net Zero, Resources and Waste,
Dr David Kennedy
Director General for Food, Farming and Biosecurity
Dr Lara Langston
Senior Policy Advisor
Dr Christopher Moses
Policy Lead - Future of Lowland Peat
James Quinault
Director for Environment strategy
Victoria Robb
Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment Programme SR lead
Ellen Ronn
Senior Scientific Officer for Plastics
James Smith
Deputy Director for Marine Policy
Lucy Smith
Director General, Strategy and Change
Oliver Watson
Senior Policy Advisor
Professor Sir Robert Watson
Former Chief Scientific Adviser
Dr Iain Williams
Former Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser
Katrina Williams
Former Director-General, International and Borders
Dr Kay Williams
Head of International Chemicals, Pesticides and Hazardous Waste hub, Environment Quality
Dr Ben Woden
Lead Operational Researcher