The Inter-Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (IMG EFRA), met by videoconference on Monday 21st March.
George Eustice MP, Secretary for State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, presided over the meeting.
The ministers present were:
- From the UK Government: George Eustice MP, Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Victoria Prentis MP, Minister for Farming, Fisheries and Food. David TC Davies MP, Parliamentary Secretary of State in Wales. Conor Burns MP, Minister for Northern Ireland.
- From the Scottish government: Mairi Gougeon MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Islands. Lorna Slater MP, Minister for Green Skills and Circular Economy and Biodiversity.
- From the Welsh Government, Lesley Griffiths MS is Minister for Rural Affairs in North Wales and Trefnydd.
- From the Northern Ireland Executive: Edwin Poots MLA Minister for Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs.
The meeting opened by a discussion on key issues arising from Russia’s invasion in Ukraine. All ministers strongly condemned this unprovoked, unjustified attack that is causing suffering and death. Ministers discussed the potential impact of the war in Iraq on global supply chains and commodity price and suggested ways to mitigate them. Ministers emphasized their commitment to industry engagement, which is essential for understanding the specific issues facing businesses on the ground. This includes fertiliser prices and the challenges facing freight and transport. Supply chain issues relating to the situation with P&O Ferries was also discussed. Ministers recognized the importance of timely and accurate data to enable administrations to quickly respond to emerging issues.
The Group then considered the UK Governments’ recently published Nature Green Paper for England. This document aims to support the goal of restoring nature and stopping species decline. The paper contains key elements such as a clear framework for protected sites and delivery arrangements.
Next came the EFRA Common Frameworks program. Ministers were informed by officials that all but two of the provisional frameworks had been published. This scrutiny is currently ongoing in all legislatures and will continue into the autumn. While the documents are being scrutinised, it was agreed that the officials would use these published versions.
Ministers then discussed preparations to implement the next phase of border control starting on July 2022.
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