Department For Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) News Monitoring

Pochazia shantungensis not dangerous to UK despite mass destructions, finds Defra

Pochazia shantungensis, which has caused at least 40 loads of trees worth hundreds of thousands of pounds to be destroyed in autumn 2024, is about to become deregulated because it is not a threat to the UK environment, and imported trees and plants will no …

MPs back Tom Adeyoola for Innovate UK executive chair

Members of parliament’s Science, Innovation and Technology Committee have given their backing to the appointment of tech entrepreneur Tom Adeyoola as the next executive chair of Innovate UK. Adeyoola founded 3D clothes-modelling business Metail and co- …

DEFRA to ‘consider’ WHO guidelines for future air targets, says minister

£45m available in innovation grants from Defra

The UK government is providing a cash boost of £45.6m for farming through three separate funds, which aim to increase profits, increase food production and help protect nature. From robots carrying out delicate fruit picking and health monitors for cows …

Holidaymakers hand luggage ban starts 'this week' for 5 items

UK returnees are now required to check their luggage or hand baggage for five key items which are now prohibited. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has issued new regulations in an attempt to prevent a devastating disease from …

Flood defence near Bridgwater gets £9.7 million upgrade

The Dunball Sluice project has given asset another 25 years of operational life, helping to better protect properties, businesses and internationally important habitats across the Somerset Levels and Moors.   Delivered by the Environment Agency’s Combined …

Defra announces £46m boost for cutting-edge agri technologies

Defra has announced a major £46m investment in cutting-edge agricultural technologies, which it says will increase food production and boost farm profitability. The funding will support a wide range of projects, from robots designed for delicate fruit …

Frontier IP’s Vaccine Group teams up with animal health giant Syva...

Frontier IP Group PLC (AIM:FIPP) has reported a fresh boost for its portfolio with the news that The Vaccine Group, a spinout from the University of Plymouth, has entered into a collaboration with Spanish animal health firm Syva to develop a vaccine for …

'Quite a few' primates could be in York - as council set to bring in new licences

A one-year primate licence would cost £386 under York Council proposals, with ownership restricted to private keepers who can provide zoo-level welfare standards. Council Licensing Manager Lesley Cook told councillors on Thursday, April 10 the authority …

DEFRA minister defends waste incineration in Commons debate

Pets at Home to stop rabbit sales over Easter weekend due to animal welfare concerns

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our …

Travellers to the UK from France cannot bring in meat and dairy items amid disease fears

Britons bringing gifts of saucissons and cheese to family among those impacted by restrictions The ban applies to goods brought back for personal use, including dried sausages steve estvanik/Shutterstock Britons and tourists entering the UK from France …

Trees like Sycamore Gap should have 'action plans' to protect them says report

The Tree Council and Forest Research argue that a "robust and effective system" is needed to secure the future of England's most "irreplaceable" trees, which provide enormous social, cultural, and environmental value. Their report, …

UK government releases research and innovation framework for climate change adaptation

Photo by John Smith via Pexels The UK government has identified research and innovation challenges across 11 sectors that will need to be addressed in a bid to drive collaborative action on climate change adaptation. The Climate Adaptation Research and …

More than 150,000 tonnes of waste recycled in Derbyshire

Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of waste was collected in Derbyshire, new figures show. However, a group representing local councils warned they will need more time and money to adapt to new recycling rules set to begin next year. Latest figures from the …

Somerset floodgate gets £9.7m makeover to hold back tide for 25 more years

A vital flood defence gate has been given a multi-million-pound makeover, as Dunball Sluice is reengineered to stand strong for another quarter of a century – keeping the Somerset Levels and Moors high and dry. The Environment Agency has completed a £9.7 …

UK pork output rises in early 2025 as exports to China resume

UK – Pork production in the United Kingdom reached 244,500 tonnes between January and March 2025, according to data from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), as shared by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). …

Welsh Heather Honey get protected geographical status

Welsh Heather Honey has become the first honey in the UK to receive the coveted Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, a legal designation that protects food and drink products from imitation and misuse. As a result, Welsh Heather Honey has joined …

British retailers face a packaging cost crisis

As the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme edges closer to implementation, retailers across the nation are bracing for a seismic shift in the economics of packaging. Designed to place the full cost of recycling and waste disposal onto …

இன அழிப்பு சிறிலங்க ராணுவ, இந்தியஇராணுவ புரிந்துணர்வு தமிழர்கள வேதனைகுள்ளாக்குகின்றது- நாடு கடந்த தமிழீழஅரசாங்கம்

இந்தியப் பிரதமர் நரேந்திர மோடி அவர்களின்சிறிலங்கா பயணம் தொடர்பாக நாடு கடந்த தமிழீழஅரசாங்கம் கருத்து COLOMBO, SRI LANKA, April 18, 2025 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ -- இந்தியப் பிரதமர் நரேந்திர மோடி அவர்களின்சிறிலங்கா பயணம் தொடர்பாக நாடு கடந்த …

DUPLEXITY Set to Make a Splash with New Single 'Waveless Tide'

DUPLEXITY Dives into New Horizons with their Latest Single "Waveless Tide" – Release Set for April 18th, 2025, with Live Performance at LAUNCH Music Festival! LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, April 17, 2025 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ -- The …

Arkansas Legislature Passes Landmark Youth Justice Reforms to Protect Victimized Children from Trauma and Incarceration

Legislation supported by a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers and child rights advocates will reform the state’s youth justice system. WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, April 17, 2025 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ -- In a major bipartisan victory for children’ …

Alfonso Cahero Honored in Abu Dhabi for $60B Net Worth Milestone: Global Finance Leader Recognized at Investment Forum

Global finance visionary Alfonso Cahero recognized in Abu Dhabi for surpassing $60B net worth, redefining sustainable wealth and ethical capital leadership. ABU DHABI, ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, April 17, 2025 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ -- At the …

Appalachian Finance Hub Summit Draws 90 Leaders from Five States to Pittsburgh to Advance Regional Investment Strategy

PITTSBURGH, PA, UNITED STATES, April 17, 2025 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ -- Nearly 90 leaders from five Appalachian states gathered in Pittsburgh on April 2, 2025, for the Appalachian Finance Hub Summit, held downtown at the Energy Innovation Center. The …

TrueComp Named Finalist in 2025 HR Tech Awards for Best Talent Intelligence Solution

Accolade honors public sector technology that empowers smarter, more equitable workforce decisions WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA, UNITED STATES, April 17, 2025 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ -- TrueComp, the leading workforce analytics and compensation planning …

AKTI Celebrates Introduction of Legislation Removing Restrictions on Automatic Knives in Delaware

Proposed bill would bring Delaware in line with 46 other states CODY, WY, UNITED STATES, April 17, 2025 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ -- The American Knife and Tool Institute (AKTI) applauds the introduction of bipartisan legislation (S.108) by state …

The 2025 Tax Hiring Outlook

MOUNT PLEASANT, SC, UNITED STATES, April 17, 2025 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ -- Introducing the 15th annual Tax Hiring Outlook (THO), brought to you by TaxTalent, TaxSearch, and TaxForce. This report is the only tax hiring survey that utilizes the …

Mission Alive to Transform Rural and Small Town Communities

Mission Alive Receives Grant for Rural and Small Town Initiative DALLAS, TX, UNITED STATES, April 17, 2025 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ -- Mission Alive is delighted to announce the receipt of a grant in support of our new Rural and Small Town Initiative …

Savannah Resident Appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary in Trump Administration

Former Georgia Labor Official Tapped to Help Lead National Workforce Development Efforts SAVANNAH, GA, UNITED STATES, April 17, 2025 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ -- Lori Frazier Bearden, a resident of Savannah, Ga., has been appointed to serve as the …

Elected Officials and Silicon Valley Nonprofits Hold 'Save Medicaid' Rally to Fight Impending Budget Cuts

Zoe Lofgren, Sam Liccardo and Silicon Valley nonprofits rally to fight for Medicaid SAN JOSE, CA, UNITED STATES, April 17, 2025 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ -- PRxDigital, Inc. will host a press conference and community rally to oppose impending cuts to …

Truth in Accounting Releases New Video Exposing the True State of U.S. Finances

Hosted by former co-CEO of Progressive Insurance and Truth in Accounting board member, Chuck Chokel CHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, April 17, 2025 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ -- Truth in Accounting (TIA) has released a compelling new video featuring their …

Could Russia support US-Iran negotiations? An indirect opportunity worth exploring.

The following article is one of a two-part series of essays assessing the relative benefits and risks of inviting Russia into ongoing US-Iranian talks. On April 12, the United States and Iran wrapped up their first round of renewed diplomatic talks in …

Two years of war in Sudan and the elusive path to peace

As Sudan’s civil war enters its third year, the humanitarian catastrophe continues to spiral, with more than 12.7 million people displaced and little hope of resolution in sight. Jehanne Henry, MEI Associate Fellow and former Africa Director at Human …

Turkey’s strategic tangle

For months, Turkey’s government has been trying to accomplish three major tasks simultaneously or nearly so in order to solidify its hold on power at home and enhance its influence in the broader region. Its three-pronged approach to fulfilling that goal …

CSI condemns Holy Week massacre of Christians in Nigeria

A team from Christian Solidarity International was on the ground in Nigeria as the killings unfolded ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, April 17, 2025 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ -- On April 13, Palm Sunday, Fulani militias massacred 56 people in a Christian village …

Alona Lebedieva: The Law on Bona Fide Acquirers Is a Crucial Step Toward Legal and Investment Stability

KYIV, UKRAINE, April 17, 2025 /⁨EINPresswire.com⁩/ -- President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Law No. 12089, which strengthens the protection of the rights of bona fide acquirers of property. In particular, property can no longer be …

MEDITERRANEAN: Fall in recorded crossings in first quarter of 2025 ― Greece redesignates Türkiye as ‘safe third country’ ...

The significant decrease in the number of irregular border crossings into the EU via the Mediterranean routes that was observed in 2024 has continued into the first quarter of 2025. Greece has redesignated Türkiye as a “safe third country” for people …

ECRE Annual General Conference 2025

|Published on: 17th April 2025|Categories: News| The ECRE Annual General Conference (AGC) 2025 will take place 09.00-18.00 on Thursday 5 June 2025 in Warsaw. Participation in the AGC is open to representatives of ECRE member organisations, other …

EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: EU deepens police co-operation with Egypt ― Libyan authorities escalate crackdown on humanitarian ...

The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) has signed a working agreement with Egypt. Libyan authorities have suspended the operation of ten humanitarian NGOs after accusing them of facilitating the “resettlement” of people on the …