NFU Environment

Environmental permit reform – have your say Defra has launched a consultation on proposals to reform exemptions. These changes could affect how certain low-risk on-farm activities are regulated in the future. Have your say by 20th May here👉nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

Tree planting information for farmers Our NFU experts have rounded up key information on tree planting funding, member case studies and tree planting advice. More👉nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

Environment Agency to increase charges – have your say The EA has opened a consultation on proposals to increase a number of regulatory charges to reflect additional costs. The NFU will be responding and wants to hear your feedback by 14 May. More👉nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

Heather and grass burning in England – have your say The NFU will be responding to the government's consultation on proposals to extend the ban on burning heather and grass on deep peat. Fill in our online form by 2 May to make your voice heard. More👉 nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

Local Nature Recovery Strategies – what are they and why are they important? NFU adviser Poppy Sherborne outlines what LNRS are, their purpose and impact as well as the timeframes for delivery and engaging with the development of the strategies. More👉nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

Historic and archaeological features in SFI and Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier The NFU’s senior countryside adviser Claire Robinson answers your questions on managing historic and archaeological features in the SFI and CS Higher Tier offers. More👉nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

UK pesticides NAP – diving into the detail Following the publication of the long-awaited UK Pesticides NAP 2025, Senior regulatory affairs adviser Chris Hartfield looks at the actions and how they relate to how pesticide is used by your business. More👉 nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

NFU welcomes funding boost for internal drainage boards A further £16 million of funding for internal drainage boards should act as a “huge boost” towards better protecting the best agricultural land, the NFU has said. More👉nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

NVZ appeals – what to do if you receive a letter from Defra Farmers who find themselves in an NVZ (nitrate vulnerable zone) from 2025 to 2028 are being given an opportunity to appeal against the decision over the coming months. More👉nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

Land availability an ‘existential threat’ for horticulture and potatoes sector NFU Potato Policy Group chair and Horticulture & Potatoes Board vice chair explains the importance of the LUF consultation and why growers should feed in their views. More👉nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

💻 | @NFUHfds members can join our informative webinar on grants and the Land Use Framework with @NFUtweets experts 🗓️ Wed, 2⃣ Apr 🕐 1pm-2pm 🗣️ Jack Watts & Richard Wordsworth (@AdviserSPS) 🎟️ nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

SFI closure – the detail beyond the announcement Following the closure of SFI24 applications, NFU senior countryside adviser Claire Robinson looks at the detail behind the announcement, answering your most pressing questions on what happens next. More👉nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

Farming and environmental leaders warn against cuts to farming budget The NFU has joined forces with more than 50 farming and environment organisations to call on the Chancellor not to cut Defra’s farming budget ahead of the Spring Statement. More👉nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

National Action Plan for pesticides not aligned with SFI closures The NAP focuses on increasing IPM, compliance and a new target to reduce risk, but is unclear how these will be supported and delivered without impacting farmers' competitiveness. More👉nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

Banking experts weigh in on impact of Defra’s SFI closure Following the closure of SFI24 to new applications, the NFU convened a roundtable with the UK’s banking experts to discuss this exceptional situation and how members can be supported. More👉nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

Energy performance of privately rented homes – have your say on new proposals The government is consulting on changes which will affect the future of Energy Performance Certificates for those renting out agricultural worker cottages. Have your say here👉nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

Why the Land Use Framework is so important for farming The LUF needs to be objective, flexible to the challenges and changes in circumstances ahead and not used to drive a political agenda, says NFU North environment lead Richard Bramley. More👉nfuonline.com/communities/en…

SFI closure – farming roundtable challenges Food Security Minister The NFU organised a roundtable with Minister Daniel Zeichner to explain the crushing impact of Defra’s decision to close SFI applications and raise the urgent need for transparency. More👉nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

Everything you need to know about ELMs The NFU’s expert team has put together a guide on everything you need to know about the government’s Environmental Land Management schemes offer. More👉 nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…

Government publishes flagship planning and compulsory purchase reforms The government has laid its Planning and Infrastructure Bill before Parliament which aims to reform the planning system to meet the government’s building targets. More👉nfuonline.com/updates-and-in…