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Written question asked by Ian Lavery (Labour) on Friday, 20 March 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 March 2026. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 March 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Agriculture: Environment Protection

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to protect domestic agriculture from climate‑related risks including flooding, heat stress and soil degradation.

Answer

Defra is targeting public money where it delivers most value, supporting farmers and land managers to help restore nature and boost farm productivity, which in turn protects food security and builds resilience to climate change.

The Sustainable Farming Incentive offer for 2026 will be more focussed, more transparent and fairer, so as many farmers as possible can benefit from agreements.

Defra’s Capital Grants offer, opening later this year, will offer funding for a wide range of items, including natural flood management measures.

Landscape Recovery projects awarded development funding in rounds one and two continue to progress towards the delivery phase. Three projects are now in their implementation phase. This includes Evenlode Project, which will allow the river to reconnect with its floodplain, reducing flooding and improving habitats for wildlife.

Defra has increased the Internal Drainage Board (IDB) Fund to £91m, benefitting over 400,000 hectares of farmland and over 200,000 properties.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
122507
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Agriculture Climate change Environment protection
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk