DEFRA

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is responsible for improving and protecting the environment. We aim to grow a green economy and sustain thriving rural communities. We also support our world-leading food, farming and fishing industries.

Purpose

Our broad remit means we play a major role in people’s day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.

We are here to make our air purer, our water cleaner, our land greener and our food more sustainable.

Our mission is to restore and enhance the environment for the next generation, leaving it in a better state than we found it.

Priority outcomes

• improve the environment through cleaner air and water, minimised waste, and thriving plant and terrestrial and marine wildlife.
• reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon storage in the agricultural, waste, peat and tree planting sectors to help deliver net zero.
• reduce the likelihood and impact of flooding and coastal erosion on people, businesses, communities and the environment.
• increase the sustainability, productivity and resilience of the agriculture, fishing, food and drink sectors, enhance biosecurity at the border and raise animal welfare standards.
• Read our Outcome Delivery Plan to find out more about how we will deliver our outcomes and measure success.

Who we are

We have around 10,250 full-time equivalent employees as at 31 December 2020 (source: table 8 in ONS public sector employment data which excludes Non-Departmental Public Bodies). Our staff are based in London, Bristol, York and other offices throughout England.

Although Defra only works directly in England, it works closely with the devolved administratio