Regulator Profile
DEFRA
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Policy Department4
Areas of regulation
134
Laws enforced
UK-wide
Quick links
Agriculture
Animal Welfare
Environmental Policy
Fisheries
What DEFRA does
Government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries, and rural communities. Sets environmental policy and works with agencies (EA, NE) on implementation. Oversees animal health and welfare standards.
Additional information
Policy department - implementation via Environment Agency, Natural England, APHA, RPA. Scotland, Wales, NI have devolved equivalents.
Legal framework
Legislation that DEFRA enforces.
Primary legislation
- Environment Act 2021 (enhancement) Act 2021
- Environmental Protection Act 1990 Act 1990
- Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 - full legislation Act 2000
- Environment Act 2021, Schedule 14 Act 2021
- Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 Act 2006
- Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 Act 2000
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) Act 1981
- Environment Act 1995 Act 1995
- Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991 Act 1991
- Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991, Part II Act 1991
- Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991, Part V Act 1991
- Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991, Schedule 5 Act 1991
- Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991, Section 11-12 Act 1991
- Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991, Section 21 Act 1991
- Agriculture Act 2020 Act 2020
- Agriculture (Scotland) Act 1948, Schedule 5 Act
- Animal Health Act 1981 Act 1981
- Animal Welfare Act 2006 Act 2006
- Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, Schedule 1 Act 2000
- Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, Section 14 Act 2000
- Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, Section 22 Act 2000
- Environment Act 1995, Section 97 Act 1995
- Environment Act 2021 - full legislation Act 2021
- Environment Act 2021, Section 57 Act 2021
- Environment Act 2021, Section 58 Act 2021
- Environmental Protection Act 1990, Part 2 Act 1990
- Environmental Protection Act 1990, Part III Act 1990
- Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 33 Act 1990
- Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 34 Act 1990
- Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 78C Act 1990
- Fisheries Act 2020 Act 2020
- Food Safety Act 1990 Act 1990
- Food Safety Act 1990, Section 10 Act 1990
- Food Safety Act 1990, Section 11 Act 1990
- Food Safety Act 1990, Section 12 Act 1990
- Forestry Act 1967, Section 24 Act 1967
- Forestry Act 1967, Section 9 Act 1967
- Inheritance Tax Act 1984, Part V Act 1984
- Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, Section 40 Act 2006
- Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, Section 41 Act 2006
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Schedule 1 Act 1981
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Section 14 Act 1981
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Section 1 Act 1981
Secondary legislation
- Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 UK Statutory Instrument 2016
- The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011 UK Statutory Instrument 2011
- The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 UK Statutory Instrument 2017
- Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 UK Statutory Instrument 2017
- The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 UK Statutory Instrument 2017
- Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2025 UK Statutory Instrument 2025
- Agriculture (Safety of Children and Young Persons) Regulations 1956 UK Statutory Instrument 1956
- Animals (Penalty Notices) (England) Regulations 2023 UK Statutory Instrument 2023
- Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 UK Statutory Instrument 2018
- Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) (England) Regulations 2015 UK Statutory Instrument 2015
- ... and 81 more statutory instruments
Sectors regulated
Agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and pets
Environment