UK Inquiry Tracker

Work of the Department and its arm’s-length bodies

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Open Inquiry

Opened: 6 Nov 2024 Parliament page

A key responsibility of the EFRA Committee is to scrutinise the policy, spending and administration of Defra and its arms-length bodies. To achieve this, the Committee will hold regular evidence sessions with the Secretary of State, Defra Ministers and senior officials from both the Department and the organisations for which … Read more A key responsibility of the EFRA Committee is to scrutinise the policy, spending and administration of Defra and its arms-length bodies. To achieve this, the Committee will hold regular evidence sessions with the Secretary of State, Defra Ministers and senior officials from both the Department and the organisations for which it is responsible. The transcripts of those sessions and related correspondence and written evidence are collected here. The Committee will also call for evidence on a regular basis and produce iterative and focused reports on this subject. Topics for scrutiny may include, but are not limited to: the effectiveness of the regulatory landscape, the capacity of Defra’s regulators to monitor the environment, enforce environmental protections, and take into account other duties, such as those for “growth”, the project management, deployment and overall delivery of government-funded projects, programmes and initiatives, services delivered and other direct responsibilities of arms-length bodies, such as environmental permits and management of protected and forested areas, the accessibility of Defra and its arms-length bodies to citizens, including engagement with local expertise and complaints procedures, relationships with local government and making devolution work for Defra’s policy areas. The Committee will also consider the effectiveness of the machinery of government when it comes to important cross-government issues such as: climate adaptation and mitigation, environmental protection, nature recovery and nature-based solutions to societal problems that are within the remit of other departments, the impact of trade policy on domestic industry and environmental targets, impacts on and opportunities for rural and remote communities; particularly the Government’s ‘rural proofing’ policy, working with local government, responding to emergency incidents such as flooding and other extreme weather events. If you have information or evidence which may be of interest to the Committee, please contact: efracom@parliament.uk . Show less

1 Report

9 Oral sessions

75 Letters

9 Events

Activity timeline 85 events

8 Sep
2026

Correspondence

Correspondence from Minister Creagh regarding the publication of the progress report on the EIP, dated 16 July 2026

8 Sep
2026

Correspondence

Correspondence from the Secretary of State regarding Brazilian beef imports, dated 4 September 2026

8 Sep
2026

Correspondence

Correspondence to Ofwat regarding the disclosure of confidential correspondence to the EFRA committee, dated 12 August 2026

8 Sep
2026

Correspondence

Correspondence from Ofwat regarding the disclosure of confidential correspondence to the EFRA Committee, dated 19 August 2026

8 Sep
2026

Correspondence

Correspondence from Paul Kissack, Permanent Secretary, Defra, regarding the disclosure of confidential correspondence to the EFRA Committee…

8 Sep
2026

Correspondence

Correspondence to Defra regarding the disclosure of confidential correspondence to the EFRA committee, dated 12 August 2026

8 Sep
2026

Correspondence

Correspondence from Dame Helen Ghosh following her appointment as the new OEP Chair, dated 20 August 2026

8 Sep
2026

Correspondence

Correspondence from Minister Creagh and Minister White to inform the Chair that on Monday the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rur…

8 Sep
2026

Correspondence

Correspondence from the Secretary of State regarding the recruitment of the Chair of Natural England, dated 7 July 2026

21 Aug
2026

Correspondence

Correspondence to Angela Eagle, Secretary of State regarding the evidence session on 7 July

7 Jul
2026

Oral evidence

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

30 Jun
2026

Correspondence

Correspondence to the Secretary of State, Defra regarding selection criteria for the new Environment Agency Chair, dated 30 June 2026

Oral evidence sessions 9 sessions

7 Jul 2026

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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

David Hill · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Emily Miles · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Bourne OBE · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

28 Apr 2026

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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Dame Helen Ghosh, Preferred candidate to become Chair of OEP

10 Mar 2026

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EFRA Committee

Dr Tony Juniper CBE · Natural England Marian Spain · Natural England

3 Mar 2026

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EFRA Committee

David Hill · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Bourne · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Iain King · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Paul Kissack · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

11 Nov 2025

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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

David Hill · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emily Miles · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds MP · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

28 Oct 2025

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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Alan Lovell · Environment Agency Philip Duffy · Environment Agency

20 May 2025

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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

David Hill · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emily Miles · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Rt Hon Steve Reed MP · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

26 Nov 2024

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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Chris Walters · Ofwat David Black · Ofwat Helen Campbell · Ofwat

19 Nov 2024

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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

David Hill · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emily Miles · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Rt Hon Steve Reed MP · The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Reports 1 report · click to expand

Title	HC No.	Published	Items	Response
9th Report - Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair-designate of …	HC 1864	29 Apr 2026	0	No response document linked

Correspondence 75 letters

8 Sep 2026 Correspondence from the Secretary of State regarding the recruitment of the Chair of Natural England, dated 7 July 2026

Parliament page

8 Sep 2026 Correspondence from Minister Creagh and Minister White to inform the Chair that on Monday the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero made an Oral Statement to the UK Parliament on the state of nature and climate, dated 15 July 2026

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8 Sep 2026 Correspondence from Minister Creagh regarding the publication of the progress report on the EIP, dated 16 July 2026

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8 Sep 2026 Correspondence to Ofwat regarding the disclosure of confidential correspondence to the EFRA committee, dated 12 August 2026

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8 Sep 2026 Correspondence to Defra regarding the disclosure of confidential correspondence to the EFRA committee, dated 12 August 2026

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8 Sep 2026 Correspondence from Ofwat regarding the disclosure of confidential correspondence to the EFRA Committee, dated 19 August 2026

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8 Sep 2026 Correspondence from Paul Kissack, Permanent Secretary, Defra, regarding the disclosure of confidential correspondence to the EFRA Committee, dated 19 August 2026

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8 Sep 2026 Correspondence from Dame Helen Ghosh following her appointment as the new OEP Chair, dated 20 August 2026

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8 Sep 2026 Correspondence from the Secretary of State regarding Brazilian beef imports, dated 4 September 2026

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21 Aug 2026 Correspondence to Angela Eagle, Secretary of State regarding the evidence session on 7 July

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30 Jun 2026 Correspondence to the Secretary of State, Defra regarding selection criteria for the new Environment Agency Chair, dated 30 June 2026

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23 Jun 2026 Correspondence from the Secretary of State, Defra, regarding appointing a new Environment Agency Chair, dated 9 June 2026

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20 May 2026 Correspondence from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero relating to rural proofing policies, dated 26 January 2026

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20 May 2026 Correspondence from the Cabinet Office relating to rural proofing policies, dated 24 March 2026

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20 May 2026 Correspondence from the Department for Education relating to rural proofing policies, dated 3 March 2026

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20 May 2026 Correspondence from the Home Office relating to rural proofing policies, dated 2 February 2026

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20 May 2026 Correspondence from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs relating to rural proofing policies, dated 28 January 2026

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20 May 2026 Correspondence from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology relating to rural proofing policies, dated 23 January 2026

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20 May 2026 Correspondence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government relating to rural proofing policies, dated 21 January 2026

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20 May 2026 Correspondence from the Department for Work and Pensions relating to rural proofing policies, dated 21 January 2026

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20 May 2026 Correspondence from the Ministry of Justice relating to rural proofing policies, dated 14 January 2026

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20 May 2026 Correspondence from the Ministry of Defence relating to rural proofing policies, dated 14 January 2026

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20 May 2026 Correspondence from the Department for Transport relating to rural proofing policies, dated 12 January 2026

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20 May 2026 Correspondence from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport relating to rural proofing policies, dated 12 January 2026

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20 May 2026 Correspondence from the Department of Health and Social Care relating to rural proofing policies, dated 9 January 2026

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20 May 2026 Correspondence from HM Treasury relating to rural proofing policies, dated 6 January 2026

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19 May 2026 Correspondence from Minister Mary Creagh, Defra, following the evidence session on 24 March, dated 11 May 2026

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19 May 2026 Correspondence from Natural England following evidence session on 10 March, dated 8 May 2026

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28 Apr 2026 Correspondence to Emma Reynolds, Secretary of State, Defra following the evidence session on 21 April 2026, dated 28 April 2026

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21 Apr 2026 Correspondence from Paul Kissack, Permanent Secretary, Defra following the evidence session on 3 March 2026, dated 13 April 2026

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24 Mar 2026 Correspondence to the Permanent Secretary, Defra, following the evidence session on 3 March, dated 24 March 2026

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3 Mar 2026 Correspondence from Dame Angela Eagle, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs relating to her appearance before the Committee, dated 16 February 2026

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13 Feb 2026 Correspondence received from the Secretary of State, following the evidence session held on 11 November, dated 29 January

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13 Jan 2026 Correspondence from Philip Duffy, Chief Executive, Environment Agency, regarding river maintenance in Somerset (following evidence session on 28 October), dated 7 January 2026

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6 Jan 2026 Correspondence from Paul Kissack, Permanent Secretary, DEFRA regarding Defra Post Implementation Reviews (PIRs), dated 18 December 2025

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6 Jan 2026 Correspondence from Philip Duffy, Chief Executive, Environment Agency, following on from the evidence session on 28 October, dated 15 December 2025

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16 Dec 2025 Correspondence from Mary Creagh, Minister for Nature, Defra, regarding the Publication of Government Post-Legislative Scrutiny of the Ivory Act 2018, dated 5 December 2025

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9 Dec 2025 Correspondence from Mary Creagh, Minister for Nature, Defra, regarding the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025, dated 1 December 2025

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9 Dec 2025 Correspondence from the Animal Sentience Committee regarding their report on XL Bullies and the Dangerous Dogs Act, dated 28 November 2025

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3 Dec 2025 Correspondence to the Ministry of Justice relating to its approach to rural proofing policies, dated 2 December 2025

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3 Dec 2025 Correspondence to the Home Office relating to its approach to rural proofing policies, dated 2 December 2025

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3 Dec 2025 Correspondence to HM Treasury relating to its approach to rural proofing policies, dated 2 December 2025

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3 Dec 2025 Correspondence to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs relating to its approach to rural proofing policies, dated 2 December 2025

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3 Dec 2025 Correspondence to the Ministry of Defence relating to its approach to rural proofing policies, dated 2 December 2025

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3 Dec 2025 Correspondence to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government relating to its approach to rural proofing policies, dated 2 December 2025

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3 Dec 2025 Correspondence to the Department for Work and Pensions relating to its approach to rural proofing policies, dated 2 December 2025

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3 Dec 2025 Correspondence to the Department for Transport relating to its approach to rural proofing policies, dated 2 December 2025

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3 Dec 2025 Correspondence to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology relating to its approach to rural proofing policies, dated 2 December 2025

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3 Dec 2025 Correspondence to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero relating to its approach to rural proofing policies, dated 2 December 2025

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3 Dec 2025 Correspondence to the Department for Education relating to its approach to rural proofing policies, dated 2 December 2025

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3 Dec 2025 Correspondence to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport relating to its approach to rural proofing policies, dated 2 December 2025

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3 Dec 2025 Correspondence to the Cabinet Office relating to its approach to rural proofing policies, dated 2 December 2025

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3 Dec 2025 Correspondence to the Department for Business and Trade relating to its approach to rural proofing policies, dated 2 December 2025

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25 Nov 2025 Correspondence to Mary Creagh, Minister for Nature, relating to the appointment of the Chair of the Office for Environmental Protection, dated 19 November 2025

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25 Nov 2025 Correspondence to the Secretary of State, Defra, following the hearing on 11 November, dated 25 November 2025

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25 Nov 2025 Correspondence to the Chair and Chief Executive of the Environment Agency following the hearing on 28 October, dated 25 November 2025

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18 Nov 2025 Correspondence from Mary Creagh, Minister for Nature, regarding the upcoming recruitment campaign for a new Chair of the Office for Environmental Protection, dated 14 November 2025

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11 Nov 2025 Correspondence from Philip Duffy, Chief Executive, Environment Agency following the evidence session held on 28 October, dated 30 October 2025

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9 Sep 2025 Correspondence from the Secretary of State and the Secretary State for Energy Security and Net Zero regarding the State of the Climate and Nature announcement, dated 14 July 2025

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9 Sep 2025 Correspondence from the Department regarding the Environmental Improvement Plan 24-25 Annual Progress Report, dated 14 July 2025

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9 Sep 2025 Correspondence from the Secretary of State following the Work of the Department evidence session, dated 18 June 2025

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2 Sep 2025 Correspondence from the Secretary of State regarding the Spending Review, dated 1 August 2025

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8 Jul 2025 Correspondence from the Secretary of State regarding the recruitment of the Environment Agency Chair, dated 26 June 2025

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8 Jul 2025 Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero regarding draft National Policy Statement, dated 13 June 2025

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19 Jun 2025 Correspondence to the Secretary of State following his appearance before the Committee on 20 May, dated 18 June 2025

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10 Jun 2025 Correspondence to the Secretary of State regarding trade agreements, dated 5 June 2025

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10 Jun 2025 Correspondence from the Secretary of State regarding the Spending Review, dated 19 May 2025

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6 May 2025 Correspondence from the Defra Permanent Secretary relating to progress on Post Implementation Reviews, dated 30 April 2025

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23 Apr 2025 Correspondence from the Permanent Secretary regarding post-legislative scrutiny, dated 10 April 2025

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10 Apr 2025 Correspondence from the Secretary of State regarding the recruitment of the Chair of the Environment Agency, dated 3 April 2025

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10 Apr 2025 Correspondence from the Secretary of State regarding Dan Corry’s Review of DEFRA’s Regulatory Landscape, dated 2 April 2024

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11 Mar 2025 From committee Correspondence from the Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, relating to his letter to the Committee of 17 January, dated 4 March 2025

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25 Feb 2025 Correspondence to the Secretary of State regarding Defra's Spending Review 2025 submission, dated 7 February 2025

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22 Jan 2025 Correspondence from the Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, regarding oral evidence before the Committee on 19 November, dated 17 January 2025

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3 Dec 2024 Correspondence to the Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding oral evidence before the Committee on 19 November, dated 2 December 2024

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