Policies on food and agriculture have far reaching implications in terms of our prosperity, the health of our societies and the environment.  

Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy is a priority for the UK government. We want to see our agriculture profitable in the marketplace, continuing to produce the majority of the food we consume; making a positive net environmental contribution, notably in respect of climate change, but also more widely; and managing the landscape and the natural assets that underlie it.

Farming makes a huge contribution to our rural economy and to our way of life. It contributed approximately £6.8 billion to the UK economy in 2008. It uses around three quarters of this country's land area, and employs around half a million people. You can find out more about agriculture in the UK.

Examples of our recent work

• Joint workshop on the role of agriculture in climate change mitigation, attended by French and British civil servants, farming unions and NGOs.
• Delegation of British officials visited abattoirs to observe French techniques for removal of specified risk material from carcasses.
• Presentation given to French pesticides industry on information given to pesticide users.

Ministries in the UK

Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) 

Hilary Benn MP was appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in June 2007. Prior to that he was Secretary of State for International Development.

Visit the DEFRA website. See "The Future of Farming" for a flavour of the UK's vision for agriculture: www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/policy/farming-future/documents/farm-future-leaflet090709.pdf

Food Standards Agency 

Tim Smith has been Chief Executive of the Food Standards Agency since April 2008. Prior to that he was Chief Executive of Arla Foods UK plc.

Visit the Food Standards Agency website. You can find the latest information on the Food Standards Agency's work in FSA News.