Transparency data
Defra's ministerial meetings, January to March 2025
Updated 26 June 2025
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| Minister | Date | Name of Individual or Organisation | Purpose of Meeting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Hayman | 2025-01-14 | Bug Life | Meeting to discuss veterinary medicines Policy, non invasive species Policy and pesticides (specifically Neonics and how they’re only used in the crop-sector). Bug Life shared their views and hopes for all of these areas |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-01-15 | Paddle | A meeting to discuss improving and increasing public access Policy, specifically on waterways. Points raised included: relationship between access, the environment and nature recovery, the issue of the spread of invasive non-native species in waterways, and the need to formalise guidance on safe and responsible access |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-01-16 | Ramblers | Meeting to discuss the need for inclusive access, delivery of river walks and the Englans Coast Path (King Charles III England Coastal Path), and Ramblers’ work on tackling the barriers which stop people from accessing green |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-01-20 | British Horse Council | Meeting to discuss the Central Equine database, specifically two main issues: the Horse meat scandal and equine traceability |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-01-28 | Sustrans | A discussion on the Government’s direction of travel in relation to access policy. Main purpose was to discuss ways to reach deprived communities, and barriers to accessing nature |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-01-29 | Youth Hostels Association (YHA) | Meeting to discuss the importance of Generation Green and the important role this programme plays in getting people into nature who wouldn’t usually access it |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-01-30 | Green Alliance and the Food Foundation | A meeting to discuss policy options to promote sustainable diets – both for personal and planetary health – with a particular focus on increasing uptake of plant-based diets |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-01-30 | British Ports Association | Meeting with representative from Port of Portsmouth, representative from CLdN Ports UK, representative from British Ports Association to discuss Border Control Posts and the Border Target Operating Model, along with the potential improvements that could be made |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-02-04 | Action Oak | A meeting to discuss Grey Squirrel Management, and to discuss Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs strategy on this moving forward |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-02-12 | British Veterinary Association | A meeting to discuss the issue of veterinary medicine Policy supply in Northern Ireland |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-03-03 | GLEAM | A meeting to discuss Access to nature Policy and GLEAM's proposals for this area, including their wish to repeal of the cut-off date for recording historic rights of way. |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-03-05 | Animal Equality UK, Humane Slaughter Association, The Humane League, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Compassion in World Farming, Lindsay World Animal Protection, Open Cages | Farmed Animal Welfare Roundtable (eNGO) roundtable to discuss Framed Animal Welfare Policy, the need for improved labelling to better reflect animal welfare standrads, as well as farmed fish and ways of improving welfare standrads at the time of killing |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-03-05 | Lion Aid, Born Free, Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, Wildlife Guardian, Humane World for Animals, Four Paws, Zimbabwe Elephant Foundation, World Animal Protection | Hunting NGO roundtable roundtable to discuss the manifesto commitment of banning trophy hunting imports, the lack of evidence to suggest money made from trophy imports goes into conservation efforts, and the unilateral support across political parties for this ban |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-03-12 | National Farmer's Union, Food Policy British Retail Consortium, National Beef Association, National Sheep Association, National Pig Association, British Egg Industry Council | Farmed Animal Welfare Roundtable (stakeholder) roundtable to discuss Farmed Animal welfare policy, and the link between animal welfare and consumer sales. Also included Bovine TB, BVD, Bluetongue, and vet visits to farms discussion |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-03-12 | Peter Walker, Senior Political Correspondent, The Guardian | Meeting to discuss all areas of Baroness Hayman's portfolio |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-03-13 | Green Alliance | Meeting to discuss how Green Alliance works with Government and the organisation’s strategic aims’ |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-03-18 | British Horse Society | Meeting to discuss issues with horse riders having access to little of the public rights of way. Discussion also surrounding the wider Access to Nature Policy area and Horse riders consideration in this |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-01-28 | Agricultural Industries Confederation, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Association of Independent Crop Consultants, Assured Food Standards, BASIS RegistrationLltd, British Growers Association, British Institute of Agricultural Consultants, CARAS, Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, Commercial Farmers Group, Food and Drink Sectors Council, Institute of Agricultural Engineers, Landex, Lantra, Linking Environment and Farming, National Farmers Unon Next Generation, National Farmers Union, National Federation of Young Farmer's Clubs, National Land Based College, National Skills Academy for Food and Drink, Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group, Tenant Farmers Association, The Central Association for Agricultural Valuers, The Chartered Institute of Horticulture, The Country Land and Business Association, The Health and Saftey Executive, The Institute of Agricultural Management, The Institute of Agricultural Secretaries and Administrators, The National Association of Agricultural Contractors, The Soil Association, TIAH, TIAH Consultation Group, Trailblazer Chair, UK Agri-Tech Centre, Voluntary Initiative | Meeting The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture Consultation Group to discuss the Government's support of Farmer's through Environmental Land Management and the recently announced ADOPT fund, cross-government work on the Food Strategy and the Land-Use Framework, gene-editing and the importance of adapting to the changing climate. |
| Susan Hayman | 2025-01-29 | RSPB, National Wildlife Crime Unit, Campaign for National Parks | RSPB Birdcrime roundtable with representatives from RSPBA roundtable on the RSPB's birdcrime report 2023, the potential to manage practices with shooting licences, the issues with licencing pheasant partridge shoots, and the Government's policy moving forwward on Gamebird Licencing |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-01-09 | Convention on Biological Diversity | Discussion on encouraging the success of international conferences and agreements, particularly looking ahead to COP 16.2 |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-01-09 | Reloop, Marine Conservation Society, Trash Free Trails, Surfers Against Sewage, Keep Britain Tidy, Wildlife and Countryside Link, Seahorse Environmental, Chester Zoo, World Wide Fund for Nature | Roundtable with non-governmental organisations to gain perspectives on governmental circular economy policies, in particular the Deposit Return Scheme |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-01-14 | British Beer and Pubs Association | Meeting to discuss the impact of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on brewers and breweries |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-01-23 | Westminster Council, Broadland District Council, Wiltshire County Council, West London Statutory Joint Waste Disposal Authority, Western Riverside Statutory Joint Waste Disposal Authority, Manchester Combined Authority, Merseyside Statutory Joint Waste Disposal Authority, East London Statutory Joint Waste Disposal Authority, North London Statutory Joint Waste Disposal Authority, Local Government Technical Advisors Group, Camden Council, London Environment Directors Network, Association of Directors of Environment, Planning and Transport, National Association of Waste Disposal Officers, Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committe, Local Government Association, County Councils Network | A roundtable to discuss waste initiatives and work across local government |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-01-23 | Claire Ellicott, Whitehall Editor, Daily Mail | An interview to discuss governmental waste reforms |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-01-28 | Severn Trent, Responsible Travel, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, TruCost, Lock’n’Store, Associated British Foods plc, Hummingbird Technologies, John Holland-Kaye, Accenture, Green Finance Institute, Broadway Initiative, Aldersgate Group, Environmental Industries Commission, Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment | Meeting of the Council for Sustainable Business to discuss the development and implementation of an Environmental Improvement Plan |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-02-04 | Brita | Discussion on initiatives that Brita is taking to reduce waste and improve circularity |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-02-04 | UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association | Discussion on UK government green finance policies and priorities for private sector |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-02-04 | Arcadis | Discussion on implementation of circular economy policies in the Netherlands and lessons to take into UK policies |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-02-10 | British and Irish Portable Battery Association | Discussion on how to improve battery recycling and a look at government battery regulations |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-02-10 | Campaign for Nature, The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International-UK, Fauna & Flora, Forest Peoples Programme, International Institute for Environment and Development, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Wildlife and Countryside, World Wide Fund for Nature-UK, The Wildlife Trust, Zoological Society of London, Global Youth Ambassador Project, World Resources Institute, International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Cambridge Conservation Institute, World Conservation Society, Natural History Museum, Kew, Greenpeace, Buglife, Butterfly Conservation Trust, Survival International, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Pew Charitable Trust, Marine Conservation Society, Friends of the Earth, Green Alliance | A roundtable post-COP16 to discuss international developments on nature and climate |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-02-11 | Botanic Gardens Conservation International | To discuss the work of Botanic Gardens Conservation International, in particular their global biodiversity standard |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-02-11 | Sainsburys | Discussion on how Sainsburys is working to improve its circularity, in particular food waste and questions about packaging reforms |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-02-11 | Biffa, British Plastics Federation, Philip Tyler Polymers, Environmental Services Association, Suez UK, Veolia, Recoup, European Metal Recycling, Mura Technology, Viridor, University of Birmingham, Plastics Europe, Waste and Resources Action Programme | A roundtable with key representatives of the plastics sector to examine growth potential in the UK plastics recycling sector |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-02-11 | British Glass, Confederation of Paper Industries | Discussion on implementing Extended Producer Responsibility and ways to improve circularity within industries |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-02-27 | South Africa High Commission, Embassy of Ethiopia to the UK, Embassy of the Republic of Guinea, High Commission of the Republic of Cameroon, Sierra Leone High Commission, Kenyan High Commission, Embassy of Madagascar in the UK, Royal African Society, The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, Commonwealth Secretariat, Rio Tinto, Tesco, Finance Earth | A roundtable focused on discussions on nature and biodiversity in Africa |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-02-27 | Dartmoor National Park Authority | Discussion focused on how Dartmoor will work with changes to: funding, wild camping and becoming a digital national park |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-03-10 | Charity Retail Association | Discussion on recent trends in charity retail, particularly fashion, as well as how best to work with food waste collection |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-03-19 | Severn Trent, Responsible Travel, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, TruCost, Lock’n’Store, Associated British Foods plc, Hummingbird Technologies, John Holland-Kaye, Accenture, Green Finance Institute, Broadway Initiative, Aldersgate Group, Environmental Industries Commission, Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, Greensphere Capital | A meeting of the Council for Sustainable Business to discuss the development and implementation of an Environmental Improvement Plan |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-03-25 | Forests with Impact and Sunbelt Rentals | Discussion on the model of Forests with Impact, including how it engages with its current corporate partners and opportunities to grow |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-03-25 | Aviva | Discussion on Aviva's sustainability work and how best to support private sector input into government green finance work |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-03-31 | National Parks England, North York Moors National Park Authority, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Northumberland National Park Authority, South Downs National Park Authority, Lake District National Park Authority, Peak District National Park Authority, New Forest National Park Authority, The Broads Authority, Exmoor National Park Authority | A roundtable to discuss government policy and challenges being faced by national parks |
| Mary Creagh | 2025-03-31 | National Infrastructure Commission, Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport, Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development, National Energy System Operator, Wildlife Countryside Link, Town and Country Planning Association, Local Government Association, Royal Town Planning Institute | A roundtable to gain stakeholder feedback and knowledge, during the developmeng of the Land Use Framework |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-01-08 | Provender Nurseries | Meeting with a leading horticultural farmer to discuss trade, SPS agreeement, Extended Producer Responsibility, and Water |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-01-14 | Aphra Brandreth MP & Young Farmers | Discussed issues facing young farmers. |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-01-14 | National Farmers Union, British Meat Processors Association, Livestock Auctioneers Association, National Beef Association, National Sheep Association, Ruminant Health and Welfare Group, British Cattle Veterinary Association, Animal Health and Welfare Board England, Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, UK Export Certification Partnership | Roundtable discussing bluetongue strategy |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-01-14 | Plunkett UK | Attended meeting with Chief Executive, James Alcock to discuss rural priorities |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-01-20 | Tenant Farmers Association | Attended meeting to discuss issues facing tenant farmers |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-01-21 | British Association of Shooting and Conservation | Attended meeting to discuss priorities for rural communities |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-01-30 | Compassion in World Farming | Attended meeting to discuss animal welfare issues |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-02-03 | Joint Nature Conservation Committee | Attended meeting to discuss shared priorities between the Nature Friendly Farming Network and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-02-04 | Cutbill Jacoby | Attended meeting to discuss Hemp Carbon Capture and Rural Development |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-02-06 | National Farmers Union | Attended meeting to discuss farming priorities |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-02-12 | Nature Friendly Farming Network | Attended meeting to discuss shared priorities with Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-02-24 | Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) | Attended meeting to discuss AHF's role in rural communities |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-02-25 | Salmon Scotland | Attended meeting to discuss fishing priorities and trade |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-02-26 | Scottish Fisherman's Federation | Attended meeting to discuss fishing priorities |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-02-26 | National Farmers Union Scotland | Attended meeting to discuss farming priorities |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-02-26 | British Beer and Pub Association | Attended meeting to discuss priorities in the alcohol sector |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-02-26 | Sainsbury's | Attended meeting with Simon Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Sainsbury's to discuss the UK Food System and the nascent Food Strategy |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-03-04 | National Federation of Fisherman's Organisations (NFFO) | Attended meeting with Emma Hardy and the NFFO to discuss Marine Protected Areas |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-03-05 | Animal Equality UK, Compassion in World Farming, Humane League UK, Humane Slaughter Association, Open Cages, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, World Animal Protection | Roundtable discussing farmed animal welfare |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-03-11 | CCLA Investment Management | Attended meeting with Sara Thornton and her group of consultants for a group of investors (anti-slavery), they are interested in ethical supply chains |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-03-12 | National Farmers Union, British Retail Consortium, National Beef Association, National Pig Association, British Egg Industry Council, British Poultry Council, Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers | Roundtable discussing farmed animal welfare |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-03-12 | Lord Lieutenant of Devon, David Fursdon | Attended meeting to discuss shared priorities with Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-03-13 | Hull County Council | Atended meeting with Hull Council and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Marine Management Organisation to discuss fishery licences |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-03-17 | University of York, Harper Adams University, University of Reading, University of Leeds, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Leeds | Food System Roundtable discussing food strategy |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-03-19 | University of York, University of Aberdeen, University of West England, University of Sheffield, University of Exeter, University of Cambridge, University of Liverpool, Royal Agricultural University | Food System Roundtable discussing food strategy |
| Daniel Zeichner | 2025-03-25 | Tenant Farmers Association | Attended meeting to discuss issues facing tenant farmers |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-01-07 | Clean Water Sports Alliance | Attended meeting to discuss water policy relating to water sports and recreation |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-01-09 | Birmingham City Council, Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Sheffield Council | Attended meeting to discuss funding for Zero Emission Busses and the results of Clean Air Zones |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-01-15 | Fuels Industry UK | Attended meeting to discuss environmental permitting and incidents that have taken place |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-01-20 | Nature Friendly Farming Network, Northumbria Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and environmental/conservation lead, University of Leeds, The Rivers Trust, National Farmers Union, Country Land and Business Association, Surrey Council and ADEPT Member, Wildlife and Countryside Link, National Trust, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) | Attended meeting to discuss natural floods management with stakeholder group |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-01-21 | Two MPs representing Environmental Audit Committee (Shrewsbury and South East Cornwall); Environmental Audit Committee chair (Chesterfield); MP representing Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee (Milton Keyes North); MP representing Treasury Select Committee (Loughborough); Future Governance Forum; MP representing Bermondsey and Old Southwark constituency; MP representing Ribble Valley constituency; MP representing Luton South and South Bedfordshire Council; Mayor representing Liverpool City Region Council | Roundtable to discuss flooding insurance policy |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-01-23 | Horsham Council, Crawley Council, West Sussex Council, Chitchester Council, Mid Sussex Council | Attended meeting to discuss water scarcity in Sussex |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-01-23 | Wildlife & Countryside Link, Fidra, CHEM Trust, Marine Conservation Society, Green Alliance, Breast Cancer UK, Womens Environment Network (WEN) | Roundtable to discuss chemicals policy |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-01-23 | National Farmer Union | Attended meeting to discuss farming and pesticides use |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-01-29 | Anglian Water | Attendance at Anglian water board meeting |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-02-04 | MOSL | Attended meeting to discuss the water market for businesses |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-02-04 | Oceana UK, RSPB & Wildlife and Countryside Link, The Wildlife Trusts, Marine Conservation Society, WWF UK, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Greenpeace UK, ORCA/WCL Link Marine Mammals Group, Blue Ventures, Blue Marine Foundation | Attended meeting to discuss domestic marine policy and marine spatial awareness with stakeholders |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-02-05 | Pew Charitable Trust, World Resources Institute (WRI), International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Natural History Museum, ZSL Marine, National Oceanography Centre, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Environmental Justice Foundation, Fauna and Flora International, Environmental Investigation Agency, Greenpeace UK | Attended meeting to discuss marine policy on oceans and plastics |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-02-05 | ADEPT (Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport), Association of British Insurers, Association of Drainage Authorities, Blueprint for Water, Cabinet Office, Cabinet Office Minister, Canal & River Trust, Derby City Lead Local Flood Authority, Environment Agency, Flood Forecasting Centre, FloodRe, Gloucestershire Local Resilience Forum, Greater London Authority/ London Resilience Forum, Home Office, Lincolnshire Local Resilience Forum, Local Government Association, Mayor of South Yorkshire, Met Office, National Farmers Union, National Police Chiefs Council, Northern Ireland Government, Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, Welsh Government, Fire Brigades Union, MHCLG - Director, National Flood Forum, MHCLG Minister, Gloucestershire Lead Local Flood Authority, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, National Fire Chiefs Council, National Resilience, Scottish Government, Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, Derbyshire Local Resilience Forum, Department for Transport Minister | Quarterly forum for discussing the UK's flood resilience |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-02-10 | Policy in Practice | Attended meeting to discuss water affordably measures and how water companies can support affordability |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-02-12 | Professor Peter Bonfield | Attended meeting to discuss property floods resilience |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-02-13 | Royal Society of Chemistry | A stakeholder discussion on chemicals policy |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-03-04 | Univeristy of East Anglia, Sheffield University, Bath University, University of West England, ICS Consulting, Consumer Council for Water | Attended meeting to discuss progressive billing on water |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-03-04 | The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) | Attended meeting to discuss Marine Spatial Prioritisation |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-03-05 | Pesticides Action Network UK, Cambridge City Council, City of Westminster Council, Richmond Upon Thames Council, Southwark Council, Parks for London | Attended meeting to discuss the reduction of unnecessary pesticides in urban spaces |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-03-10 | South West Water, Wessex Water | Visit to water infustructure |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-03-11 | Welsh Government, Wye Nutrient Management Board, Wye Catchment Partnership, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, The Countryside Charity (CRPE) , Wales Wildlife Trust, Nutrient Management Board Wye Co-ordinator, Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water, Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru/Natural Resources Wales, Environment Agency, Farm Cymru, Weobly Farmer, Wye and Usk Foundation, The Wildlife Trusts, Natural England, Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru/Natural Resources Wales, Monmouthshire council | Discussion meeting to understand pollution pressures in the Wye |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-03-12 | Northumbrian Water | To visit water infustructure |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-03-18 | Slow the Flow | Attended meeting to discuss floods and sustainable drainage |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-03-20 | National Farmers Union, CropLife, Nature Friendly Farming Network, RSPB, Pesticides Action Network, Bug Life, The Wildlife Trusts | Meeting to discuss the national action plan on pesticides |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-03-20 | Equador Ambassador | Attended meeting to discuss international marine policy |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-03-25 | National Farmers Union | Attended meeting to discuss floods policy including international drainage boards |
| Emma Hardy | 2025-03-27 | Water UK, The Consumer Council for Water | Attended meeting to discuss water policy including workforce skills and affordability |