Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

17/06/2026

The UK is investing an additional £13.9 million to protect ocean ecosystems and increase resilience in some of the world's most climate-vulnerable coastal communities. 💙

Announced by Defra’s Minister for Water and Flooding Emma Hardy MP at the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, the funding will support three international programmes through our Blue Planet Fund. Examples of how this funding is being used includes:

🌊 PROBLUE – targeting the reduction of flood risk for hundreds of households in São Tomé and Príncipe, one of the world's smallest and most climate-exposed nations, where every dollar of PROBLUE funding has unlocked more than three in wider World Bank investment.

🌱 ORRAA – pioneering marine biodiversity credits off the Kenyan coast to restore and protect seagrass ecosystems, creating a sustainable income stream that increases the resilience of coastal communities.

♻️ GPAP – tackling plastic pollution through national partnerships across more than 20 countries, including the newly launched National Plastic Action Partnership Kenya, helping unlock investment and accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

This investment is delivering real results for people and nature.

Find out more about the projects: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-backs-communities-on-the-oceans-front-line-with-139-million-investment

Images:
Aerial image of the World Bank-financed Safe Expansion Zone at Malanza beach (PROBLUE)
Children playing in a canoe, Praia Abade, Príncipe Island (PROBLUE)
Seagrass growing in a mangrove forest in Kenya (ORRAA)
Map of GPAP’s 25 partnerships (GPAP)

15/06/2026

It's .

Do you know how to stay safe in the water during this week's warm weather?

If you find yourself in trouble, .

Royal Life Saving Society UK - RLSS UK RNLI

11/06/2026

The new Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 has been developed with farmers and industry to spread funding more fairly, with small farms and farms without existing Environmental Land Management revenue agreements first in line to apply.

The first window of applications is scheduled to open from 30 June.

Backed by £240 million for new agreements, SFI26 will pay farmers for practical actions that benefit their land and build long-term resilience, from healthier soils to cleaner waterways.

Find out how SFI26 could support your land: £290m for simpler, fairer, more accessible farming schemes - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/290m-for-simpler-fairer-more-accessible-farming-schemes

10/06/2026

We are committed to a TB-free England by 2038. We've been working with farmers, scientists, vets and conservationists to develop a new strategy for tackling bovine TB, one that puts cattle first and is backed by science. Find out more: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-welcomes-expert-led-recommendations-for-a-new-bovine-tb-eradication-strategy

09/06/2026

Dog attacks in homes from banned breeds are on the rise.

That is why we are introducing a new measure to better protect children around these breeds.

The measure will mean that you must not leave a child under the age of 12 unsupervised near your banned breed dog in the home or other domestic settings. If you do, your dog could be seized.

This will come into force from 1 November and we’ll be publishing detailed guidance soon.

🔗 Find out more: www.gov.uk/government/news/new-safety-measures-introduced-to-protect-children-around-banned-dog-breeds

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

Somerset faces unique challenges when it comes to extreme weather.

That's why we're investing £50 million into flood resilience measures to increase protection for homes, farms and food security across the region.

http://www.gov.uk/government/news/50-million-investment-to-help-protect-somersets-farms-and-homes-from-flooding?cachebust=1780932056

07/06/2026

With 13 newly designated bathing water sites across the country, there are now over 460 in total to choose from – but how do you know where is best to swim?

Our Chief Scientist Anjali Goswami explains how.

Find out more: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/swim-healthy-leaflet/swim-healthy

05/06/2026

Could you spot an unregistered waste carrier?

Waste collected by unregistered carriers often ends up dumped illegally, damaging the environment, and leaving you with a fine.

You can find licenced waste carriers in the EA’s register of waste carriers, brokers, and dealers here: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers

02/06/2026

Supporting more productive and sustainable farming 🌱

Today we published the near-final guidance, actions and application information for our Sustainable Farming Incentive, to help farmers understand what’s available through the offer and how to apply.

The updated offer is designed to support more productive and sustainable farming, and has been simplified with fewer, clearer actions, fairer funding and a stronger focus on helping more farms take part.

Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle recently visited the Royal Bath & West Show, where she spoke with farmers about how the scheme can support the sector.

Interested in applying? Check your eligibility, read the guidance carefully and take steps now to prepare for applications opening: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sustainable-farming-incentive-2026-sfi26