Defra

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the UK ministerial department for England's natural environment, food production, farming and fisheries. It develops policy, sponsors public bodies and works with devolved administrations where animal health, environmental protection or food supply crosses internal borders.

Defra's remit joins stewardship of land, water and wildlife with regulation of the industries that depend on them. The department sets policy and coordinates delivery through agencies, local authorities and specialist services. Animal-health responsibilities include disease surveillance, biosecurity rules, movement controls and the legal zones used to contain outbreaks. It also supports farming policy, fisheries management and measures affecting rural communities. This mix gives Defra both a long-term policy role and an operational role when environmental or animal-health risks require government action.