Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Legislation

71 statutory instruments made by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, newest first. Each one is explained section by section in plain English.

The Thames Estuary Cockle Fishery (No. 2) (Variation) Order 2025

Published: Tue 15th Jul 25 Came into force: Tue 5th Aug 25

The Thames Estuary Cockle Fishery (No. 2) Order 2024 was varied to amend licensing eligibility criteria for cockle fishing, restricting licenses until December 2031 for individuals previously connected to specified companies.


The Thames Estuary Cockle Fishery (No. 2) (Variation) Order 2025 modifies the 2024 Order, altering article 5(12) regarding licence eligibility.

Specifically, it makes individuals who were shareholders or officers of certain companies ineligible for licenses or renewals until December 2031.

The order, enacted under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967, aims to improve the regulation of cockle fishing in the Thames Estuary.

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The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Tue 8th Jul 25 Came into force: Tue 7th Oct 25

The 2025 regulations amended the 2017 Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material (England) Regulations, updating definitions, removing review duties, and adding requirements for genetically modified varieties.


The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2017 regulations.

Key changes include adding a definition of "marketing," updating the interpretation of EU Directive 2014/98/EU with a new Schedule 6, removing a review duty, requiring labeling for genetically modified varieties, correcting terminology, and updating pest and disease requirements.

These updates aim to modernize the regulations and ensure consistency with current scientific knowledge and risk assessments.

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The Marking of Retail Goods Regulations 2025

Published: Wed 2nd Jul 25 Came into force: Tue 1st Jul 25

The regulations established a framework for the individual marking of specific retail goods sold in Great Britain intended for Northern Ireland to ensure consistent supply, defined enforcement procedures including penalties for non-compliance, and mandated regular reviews of effectiveness.


The Marking of Retail Goods Regulations 2025 empower the UK Secretary of State to mandate individual marking of certain retail goods sold in Great Britain destined for Northern Ireland.

This action addresses concerns about disruptions in supply caused by labelling requirements under Regulation (EU) 2023/1231.

The regulations specify the authority responsible for enforcement, outlining inspection powers and potential penalties for non-compliance.

An independent monitoring panel provides oversight, and regular reviews aim to ensure the regulations remain effective and proportionate.

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The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Tue 1st Jul 25 Came into force: Tue 22nd Jul 25

The 2025 regulations amended the rules on transporting chickens and turkeys, specifically clarifying permissible leg-handling practices based on weight and species.


The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective July 22nd, 2025, amend Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 concerning animal transport.

The amendments specifically address the handling of chickens (Gallus gallus) and turkeys, modifying the prohibition on lifting birds by their legs, whilst introducing new rules regarding lifting and carrying based on weight.

The regulations were developed after consultation with relevant stakeholders and apply across England, Scotland, and Wales.

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The Tuberculosis in Animals (England) (Amendment) Order 2025

Published: Fri 27th Jun 25 Came into force: Tue 15th Jul 25

The 2025 Order amended the Tuberculosis in Animals (England) Order 2021, clarifying tuberculosis control powers, updating specified areas, and removing outdated references.


The Tuberculosis in Animals (England) (Amendment) Order 2025 amends the 2021 Order to clarify the power to slaughter animals infected with tuberculosis, remove outdated references to the European Union Common Agricultural Policy, and broaden the Secretary of State's authority to publish information aiding tuberculosis prevention.

The amendment also adds several parishes to Schedule 3, expanding the specified areas covered under the order.

It comes into force on July 15, 2025 and covers England and Wales.

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The Teversham Award Drains Variation Order 2025

Published: Thu 26th Jun 25 Came into force: Fri 29th Aug 25

The Teversham Award Drains Variation Order 2025 confirmed a revised drainage scheme, transferring maintenance responsibility to South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City Councils.


The Teversham Award Drains Variation Order 2025 confirms a revised scheme for maintaining the Award Drain in Teversham, Cambridgeshire. The Environment Agency submitted the original plan, which was modified and subsequently confirmed by the Secretary of State.

The order transfers responsibility for maintaining the revised drain to South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City Councils, specifying that the change takes effect upon the order's confirmation.

The schedule details the revised drain's definition, the effective date, and the councils’ joint responsibility for maintenance.

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The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2025

Sections 3 and 5 of the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 were brought into force regarding pollution reduction plans and nature-based solutions for water companies in England.


These regulations, issued under the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, bring into effect sections 3 and 5 of that Act on June 23, 2025.

This specifically mandates water and sewerage undertakers in England to create and publish annual pollution reduction plans, and incorporate nature-based solutions into their drainage and sewerage management plans.

The regulations include enforcement measures for non-compliance.

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The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (St Mawes to Cremyll) Order 2025

Published: Tue 3rd Jun 25 Came into force: Wed 4th Jun 25

The order established June 4th, 2025, as the end of the access preparation period for coastal margin land between St Mawes and Cremyll, completing the legal process for public access to that section of the England Coast Path.


The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (St Mawes to Cremyll) Order 2025 sets June 4th, 2025, as the end of the access preparation period for coastal land between St Mawes and Cremyll in Cornwall.

This follows the Secretary of State's approval of Natural England's plans for a long-distance coastal path, as outlined in several reports submitted in 2019 and 2020.

The order references the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, and clarifies the legal framework for public access to this section of the proposed path.

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