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Defra is the rural hub within Government. Much of what Defra does, e.g. on farming, food, flood management, environmental protection, and landscape and recreation, largely or wholly takes place in the rural areas that make up 86% of England.
In addition, Defra promotes the needs and interests of the 20% of the English population (9m people) that lives and works in rural areas. This is known as rural mainstreaming and involves Defra and its sponsored body, the Commission for Rural Communities, working closely with other parts of national, regional and local Government to ensure that rural interests are addressed in everyday policies.
You can find out more about Defra’s role as rural champion by reading this recent article by Dan Norris, Minister for Rural Affairs, (PDF 26KB) and following the links to pages on key rural issues.
Page last modified: 05 March 2010