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.
Our Purpose
Our broad remit means we play a major role in people’s day-to-day lives, 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.
Our Priority Outcomes
- Clean up Britain’s rivers, lakes and seas.
- Create a roadmap to a circular economy.
- Support famers to boost food security.
- Ensure nature’s recovery.
- Improve our nation’s resilience to the dangers of flooding.
Our Structure
Defra is a ministerial department, supported by 34 agencies and public bodies. See agencies here
Although Defra only works directly in England, it works closely with the devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and generally leads on negotiations in the EU and internationally.