DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (147/08) issued by
The Government News Network on 20 May 2008
Publishing his
Department's Annual Report, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn
reaffirmed Defra's commitment to helping people live within
their environmental means and acknowledged the role of staff in
some key achievements over the past year.
Hilary Benn said: "Over the past year we have made
significant progress on climate change and protecting natural
resources. We have seen improvement in the Rural Payments Agency
on single farm payments, the tremendous efforts of the Department,
Environment Agency and other services' staff during the
summer floods and the professional response to disease outbreaks.
"Our two new Public Service Agreement targets show the
recognition across government of the importance of tackling
climate change and enhancing the natural environment.
"We are committed to tackling climate change, and the Bali
Conference demonstrated that there is an international will to
act. In the UK, we are bringing in the Climate Change Bill, and
helping people to move to a low carbon lifestyle through
information, advice and assistance. We are also supporting
environmentally friendly farming with the Rural Development
Programme, which will invest £3.9 billion over the coming years."
Hilary Benn also highlights the draft Marine Bill and the
development of a strategy for the protection and management of
water as key achievements.
He added: "Our priority this
year and going forward must be to ensure that the resources we
need and environment we enjoy continue to be available for us all."
Defra's Departmental Report 2008 is available online at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/deprep/default.htm
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