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
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
Dr Tracie Evans
Head of Natural Science Strategy, Environmental Land Management team
Tamara Finkelstein
Permanent Secretary
Rachel Fisher
Deputy Director Land Use Policy
Tom George
Head of Food Security, Domestic Production and Trade
Davina Henderson
Chief of Staff to the Permanent Secretary
David Hill
Director General
Elizabeth Hurley
Deputy Director
Simon James
Deputy Director, Joint Air Quality Unit
Nick Joicey
Second Permanent Secretary
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
Frances Pimenta
Head of Climate Adaption Policy
Thomas Pryke
Policy Lead - kept animals (primates)
James Quinault
Director for Environment strategy
James Smith
Deputy Director for Marine Policy
Lucy Smith
Director General, Strategy and Change
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 and Nanotechnology
Dr Ben Woden
Former Senior Scientific Officer, Environmental Land Management