AIC UK Knowledge Development and Advice

Defra has announced that over 5,000 farmers in England with Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier (CSMT) agreements expiring on 31 December 2025 will be offered a one-year extension.

Defra is seeking views on proposed reforms to environmental permitting for industry (applicable to England only), aimed at better enabling innovation and the adoption of new technologies, while also ensuring proportionate, effective, and efficient regulation.

Following the European Commission’s response to the UK Government on proposal COM(2025)408 final (18 September 2025), covering SPS and ETS linkage, we assess implications for emissions trading, free allowances, and CBAM.

Defra’s latest updates outline changes to farming support, innovation funding, and stewardship schemes following a ministerial reshuffle.

WRAP is hosting a webinar to launch the testing phase of the LED4Food product-level methodology on Wednesday 24 September, 14:00–15:30.