Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is the UK Government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Defra is a ministerial department, supported by 33 agencies and public bodies.

Their 4 main objectives include:

1. Delivering a safe and ambitious departure from the EU, setting global standards in protecting and harnessing value from the natural environment
2. Passing on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future
3. Leading the world in food and farming with a sustainable model of food production
4. Becoming an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference, with world class delivery capability.

DEFRA is the government department with primary responsibility for waste and recycling and is the organisation responsible for the Resources and Waste Strategy for England policy paper, setting out how the country will preserve material resources by minimising waste, promoting resource efficiency and moving towards a circular economy in England.