Transparency data
Defra's ministerial meetings, January to March 2023
Updated 26 September 2023
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| Minister | Date | Name of organisation or individual | Purpose of meeting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Spencer | 10/01/2023 | Scottish Fishermen's Federation | To feedback post negotiations. |
| Mark Spencer | 10/01/2023 | NFU Poultry Board | To discuss farming (poultry) policy |
| Mark Spencer | 10/01/2023 | Global Tuna Alliance | Meeting to discuss issues and challenges facing the tuna industry and tuna fisheries worldwide. |
| Mark Spencer | 10/01/2023 | DRAX | To discuss Agri-innovation policy |
| Mark Spencer | 17/01/2023 | The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture | To discuss education within agriculture policy |
| Mark Spencer | 17/01/2023 | Pernod Ricard | To discuss alcohol policy |
| Mark Spencer | 18/01/2023 | The Country Land and Business Association | To discuss agricuture policy |
| Mark Spencer | 23/01/2023 | Youngs / Sofina Foods | To discuss challenges and opportunities facing the seafood and pork sectors |
| Mark Spencer | 25/01/2023 | McDonald's Corporate Vice President of Global Sourcing, Cesar Pina | To discuss food and farming policy |
| Mark Spencer | 25/01/2023 | National Farmers Union | To discuss farming policy |
| Mark Spencer | 25/01/2023 | The Country Land and Business Association | To discuss farming policy |
| Mark Spencer | 25/01/2023 | The Tenants Farmer Association | To discuss farming policy |
| Mark Spencer | 25/01/2023 | Salmon Scotland | To discuss fishing policy |
| Mark Spencer | 25/01/2023 | Small Abattoir roundtable - participants TBC | To discuss challenges facing abattoir sector |
| Mark Spencer | 26/01/2023 | Retail & Food to Go Discussion | To discuss food policy related to selected parts of the sector |
| Mark Spencer | 26/01/2023 | British Federation of Frozen Food | To discuss food policy related to selected parts of the sector |
| Mark Spencer | 30/01/2023 | National Farmers Union | To discuss agriculture policy |
| Mark Spencer | 30/01/2023 | Cranswick | To discuss farming policy |
| Mark Spencer | 30/01/2023 | The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations | To meet with representatives of the NFFO, to discuss negotiations and other fisheries issues |
| Mark Spencer | 01/02/2023 | Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) | To discuss sector-based challenges within agriculture |
| Mark Spencer | 07/02/2023 | Fisheries & Marine eNGO Roundtable | To meet with representatives of eNGOs with Lord Benyon also present. Fisheries and marine issues and opportunites were raised. |
| Mark Spencer | 07/02/2023 | Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association | Meeting to discuss coastal State negotiations |
| Mark Spencer | 07/02/2023 | Food and Drink Federation | To discuss food policy |
| Mark Spencer | 08/02/2023 | Food and Drink Sector Council Meeting | A forum for discussions with represntatives across the food and farming sector |
| Mark Spencer | 08/02/2023 | The Country Land and Business Association | To discuss agriculture policy |
| Mark Spencer | 27/02/2023 | Norwegian Fisheries Minister visit | Meeting with Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy. Discussed collaboration, coastal States and bilateral negotiations |
| Mark Spencer | 27/02/2023 | Asda, Iceland, Tesco, ACS, Booths, Sainsburys, Ocado, Lidl, BRC | To discuss food policy |
| Mark Spencer | 28/02/2023 | The Tenants Farmer Association | to discuss agriculture policy for dairy farmers |
| Mark Spencer | 01/03/2023 | National Sheep | to discuss agriculture policy for sheep farmers |
| Mark Spencer | 01/03/2023 | National Farmers Union, British Retail Consortium, UK Hospitality, Food &Drink Federation | To discuss food and farming policy |
| Mark Spencer | 13/03/2023 | Dairy UK Roundtable | To dicuss policy for dairy farmers |
| Mark Spencer | 21/03/2023 | Upland Roundtable | A discussion of agriculture policy for upland farmers |
| Mark Spencer | 22/03/2023 | Fertiliser Industry Taskforce | To discuss fertiliser challenges |
| Mark Spencer | 27/03/2023 | National Farmers Union | To dicuss agriculture policy |
| Mark Spencer | 27/03/2023 | Ubereats | To discuss food policy |
| Mark Spencer | 28/03/2023 | Royal Association Of British Dairy Farmers | To discuss agriculture policy for dairy farmers |
| Mark Spencer | 29/03/2023 | NFU Horticulture Roundtable | To discuss horticulture policy |
| Mark Spencer | 29/03/2023 | Blue Marine Foundation | Meeting with Charles Clover and others to discuss marine issues |
| Mark Spencer | 29/03/2023 | Shetland Fishermen | Meeting to discuss coastal State and mackerel negotiations |
| Mark Spencer | 29/03/2023 | Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association | Meeting to discuss coastal State and mackerel negotiations |
| Mark Spencer | 30/03/2023 | Defra F&D Manufacturing Roundtable | To discuss food and manufacturing policy |
| Rebecca Pow | 10/01/2023 | South West Water | Meeting with the CEO to discuss water incident |
| Rebecca Pow | 10/01/2023 | British Metal Recycling Association | Introductory meeting to discuss UK metals recycling |
| Rebecca Pow | 18/01/2023 | Canal and Rivers Trust | Introductory meeting with the new Chair |
| Rebecca Pow | 25/01/2023 | Wildlife & Countryside Link | Introductory meeting with chemicals NGOs |
| Rebecca Pow | 25/01/2023 | CHEM Trust | Introductory meeting with chemicals NGOs |
| Rebecca Pow | 25/01/2023 | Fidra | Introductory meeting with chemicals NGOs |
| Rebecca Pow | 25/01/2023 | Breast Cancer UK | Introductory meeting with chemicals NGOs |
| Rebecca Pow | 25/01/2023 | Cruelty Free International | Introductory meeting with chemicals NGOs |
| Rebecca Pow | 25/01/2023 | Green Alliance | Introductory meeting with chemicals NGOs |
| Rebecca Pow | 25/01/2023 | Marine Conservation Society | Introductory meeting with chemicals NGOs |
| Rebecca Pow | 25/01/2023 | Pesticide Collaboration | Introductory meeting with chemicals NGOs |
| Rebecca Pow | 02/02/2023 | Thames Tideway | Status update on the Thames Tideway Tunnel project |
| Rebecca Pow | 02/02/2023 | Thames Water | Status update on the Thames Tideway Tunnel project |
| Rebecca Pow | 22/02/2023 | South East Water | Meeting to discuss recent freeze-thaw incident |
| Rebecca Pow | 09/03/2023 | Water UK | Roundtable to discuss upcoming Plan for Water launch |
| Rebecca Pow | 09/03/2023 | National Farmers Union | Roundtable to discuss upcoming Plan for Water launch |
| Rebecca Pow | 09/03/2023 | Wildlife & Countryside Link | Roundtable to discuss upcoming Plan for Water launch |
| Rebecca Pow | 09/03/2023 | Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust | Roundtable to discuss upcoming Plan for Water launch |
| Rebecca Pow | 09/03/2023 | Country Land and Business Association | Roundtable to discuss upcoming Plan for Water launch |
| Rebecca Pow | 09/03/2023 | Wildlife Trusts | Roundtable to discuss upcoming Plan for Water launch |
| Rebecca Pow | 09/03/2023 | Greener UK | Roundtable to discuss upcoming Plan for Water launch |
| Rebecca Pow | 20/03/2023 | British Coatings Federation | Introductory roundtable to meet key chemicals stakeholders |
| Rebecca Pow | 20/03/2023 | Chemical Business Association | Introductory roundtable to meet key chemicals stakeholders |
| Rebecca Pow | 20/03/2023 | Chemical Industry Association | Introductory roundtable to meet key chemicals stakeholders |
| Rebecca Pow | 20/03/2023 | SMMT | Introductory roundtable to meet key chemicals stakeholders |
| Rebecca Pow | 21/03/2023 | National Farmers Union | Discussion of water abstraction and dairy permitting issues |
| Rebecca Pow | 28/03/2023 | Southern Water | Meeting with the CEO to discuss recent water supply interruptions |
| Richard Benyon | 10/01/2023 | Bovine Tuberculosis Partnership | Meeting to discuss bovine tuberculosis and the work of the partnership |
| Richard Benyon | 11/01/2023 | The Wildlife Trusts, Blue Marine Foundation, Seabed Users and Developers Group, Orsted, Offshore Wind Acceleration Task Force, SSE, The Crown Estate, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Wildlife and Countryside Link, Renewable UK, Energy UK, Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy | Meeting to discuss amendments tabled as part of the Energy Bill to enable the Offshore Wind Environmental Improvement Package |
| Richard Benyon | 26/01/2023 | The Wildlife Trusts | Meeting to discuss marine environment |
| Richard Benyon | 02/02/2023 | Foresight Group | Meeting to discuss green finance |
| Richard Benyon | 07/02/2023 | Greenpeace UK, Marine Conservation Society, Oceana, Wildlife and Countryside Link, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Wildlife Trusts, Shark Trust, Global Fishing Watch, World Wide Fund for Nature, The Nature Conservancy, Blue Marine Foundation | Meeting to discuss industry views on fisheries and the marine environment |
| Richard Benyon | 22/02/2023 | Rural Coalition | Meeting to discuss the rural communities and voluntary sector as well as rural energy and housing |
| Richard Benyon | 27/02/2023 | Stop Sea Blasts | Meeting to discuss work on unexploded ordnance |
| Richard Benyon | 28/02/2023 | Aldersgate Group | Meeting to discuss nature restoration, net zero and green finance |
| Richard Benyon | 28/02/2023 | Thames Water, Anglian Water, South West Water, Yorkshire Water, Wessex Water, Southern Water, Northumbrian Water, Severn Trent, United Utilities, Water UK, Ofwat, Environment Agency, Rebecca Pow MP | Meeting to discuss opportunities and challenges of delivering net zero in wastewater |
| Richard Benyon | 01/03/2023 | National Farmers Union, British Poultry Council, British Egg Industry Council, Sunrise Eggs, Kellys Turkeys, TNP limited, 2 Sisters Food Group, Cranswick, Avara Foods, Moy Park, Gressingham, PD Hook, Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, Cobb-Vantress | Meeting to update on avian influenza and the avian influenza action plan |
| Richard Benyon | 02/03/2023 | The Environment Bank Ltd | Meeting to discuss green finance |
| Richard Benyon | 07/03/2023 | Horticultural Trade Association | Meeting to discuss the Target Operating Model, peat and industry skills |
| Richard Benyon | 14/03/2023 | Poultry Industry Programme, National Farmers Union | Meeting to discuss support for poultry farmers and how government and farmers can work together to build resilience in the sector |
| Richard Benyon | 15/03/2023 | Peter Aldous MP, Nomad Food | Meeting to discuss highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 and its affects on the food industry |
| Richard Benyon | 15/03/2023 | BeZero Carbon | Meeting to discuss net zero policy |
| Richard Benyon | 15/03/2023 | The British and Irish Association of Zoos andAquariums | Meeting to discuss the Elephant Welfare Group 10 year report, zoo standards and impact of avian influenza on zoos |
| Richard Benyon | 15/03/2023 | Food, Farming and Countryside Commission | Meeting to discuss the land use framework |
| Richard Benyon | 15/03/2023 | Seabed User and Developer Group | Meeting to discuss marine spatial prioritisation and marine net gain |
| Richard Benyon | 21/03/2023 | Green Finance Institute | Meeting to discuss investment in nature recovery |
| Richard Benyon | 23/03/2023 | The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, British Trust for Ornithology, Wildlife Trusts, Wildlife and Countryside Link, National Trust, The Country Land and Business Association | Meeting to discuss the ongoing breakout of avian influenza and its impact on wild bird populations |
| Richard Benyon | 23/03/2023 | South Norfolk Council | Meeting to discuss South Norfolk Council's Rural England Prosperity Fund proposal |
| Richard Benyon | 29/03/2023 | The Country Land and Business Association | Meeting to discuss series of announcements related to net zero and green finance |
| Richard Benyon | 29/03/2023 | Tenant Farmers Association | Meeting to discuss series of announcements related to net zero and green finance |
| Richard Benyon | 29/03/2023 | National Farmers Union | Meeting to discuss series of announcements related to net zero and green finance |
| Therese Coffey | 20/01/2023 | East Suffolk District Council, Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority | To discuss the border control post, biosecurity checks, and target operating model |
| Therese Coffey | 27/01/2023 | Tony gallagher, The Times | To discuss crustacean in the North East of England |
| Therese Coffey | 08/02/2023 | National Farmers' Union, Food and Drink Federation, British Retail Consortium, UK Hospitality | To discuss inflation |
| Therese Coffey | 08/02/2023 | National Farmers' Union | To discuss the Environment Improvement Plan |
| Therese Coffey | 09/02/2023 | World Economic Forum | To discuss climate change, biodiversity, and food security |
| Therese Coffey | 10/02/2023 | Anglian Water | To discuss the apprenticeship work of Anglian Water and water quality |
| Therese Coffey | 13/02/2023 | North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative, North Carolina Research Service, Research Triangle Regional Partnership, Research Triangle AgTech Cluster, North Carolina State University | To discuss plant science research |
| Therese Coffey | 13/02/2023 | Alexandria Real Estate, Harpe Bio, 5Metis, Pairwise, Traitology, Agerpoint, Invaio Sciences, Tiamat Sciences | To discuss agritech innovation systems |
| Therese Coffey | 21/02/2023 | Treasury Connect: Green Industries | To engage with industry leaders and develop understanding of industry needs and interests on financing, regulation, skills, supply chains, and exports |
| Therese Coffey | 24/02/2023 | Tesco | To discuss the food supply chain |
| Therese Coffey | 24/02/2023 | Sainsbury's | To discuss the food supply chain |
| Therese Coffey | 27/02/2023 | Asda, Coop, Iceland, Lidl, Association of Convenience Stores, Booths, British Retail Consortium, Tesco, Ocado, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer | To discuss the challenges that the UK market was experiencing to supply fresh fruit and veg |
| Therese Coffey | 14/03/2023 | Institute of Grocery Distribution, ABP UK, Aldi, Amazon, Arla Foods, Associated British Foods, Bakkavor Group, Boporan Holdings, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Compass Group, Co-Op Group, Cranswick Country Foods, Marks and Spencer, Mars Wrigley Confectionary, Mondelez International, Musgrave Group, Nestle UK, NFU, Ocado Retail, Pilgrim’s Food Masters UK, Premier Foods, Procter and Gamble, Sainsburys, SSP Group, Tesco Stores, The Kraft Heinz Company UK, Unilever UK, Waitrose, Warburtons | To discuss the agi-food chain |
| Therese Coffey | 15/03/2023 | National Farmers' Union | To discuss issues facing the farming sector |
| Therese Coffey | 23/03/2023 | Food and Drink Federation, Pepsi Co, Nestle, Industry Council for Packaging & the Environment, Sainsburys, Unilever, British Retail Consortium, Marks and Spencer | To discuss extended producer responsibility |
| Therese Coffey | 27/03/2023 | Lowland Agricultural Peat Task Force | To discuss the findings of the taskforce |
| Therese Coffey | 31/03/2023 | National Farmers' Union | To discuss issues facing the farming sector |
| Therese Coffey | 31/03/2023 | Aaron Bell MP and constituents | To discuss Walleys Quarry |
| Therese Coffey | 31/03/2023 | Stoke-on-Trent City Council | To discuss air quality |
| Trudy Harrison | 11/01/2023 | Natural England,Forestry Commission, RSPB, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Nature Friendly Farming Network, People's Trust for Endangered Species, CLA, NFU, Cotwold AONB | To discuss nature recovery targets |
| Trudy Harrison | 24/01/2023 | Guy Shrubsole | To discuss the importance of temperate rainforests |
| Trudy Harrison | 24/01/2023 | RSPCA | To discuss snares |
| Trudy Harrison | 25/01/2023 | CONFOR Nurseries Producers Group, Grown in Britain Certification Scheme, Sustainable Energy Consortium, Wood Panel Industry Federation, Biomass Supplier Advisory Panel, BSW, Euroforest, Director Vastern Timber, Egger, Iggesund Paperboard, Tilhill | Ministerial Roundtable to discuss opportunities to increase productive planting and timber processing in England. |
| Trudy Harrison | 26/01/2023 | CONFOR, EGGER UK, Wood Panel Industries Federation | To discuss the industry's opportunities and challenges |
| Trudy Harrison | 31/01/2023 | Dartmoor National Park Authority | To discuss the support DEFRA can provide to DNPA |
| Trudy Harrison | 01/02/2023 | Active Travel England, Lake District NPA, Cumbria County Council, Cornwall County Council, Norfolk County Council, CPRE, CLA, NFU, National Association of Local Councils | Ministerial Roundtable to discuss active travel/access in rural areas |
| Trudy Harrison | 16/02/2023 | Global Environment Facility | To discuss how GEF will support implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework |
| Trudy Harrison | 16/02/2023 | World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) | To discuss funding sustainable agriculture |
| Trudy Harrison | 22/02/2023 | British Geological Survey, Vizzuality, Land App, National Association for AONBs, Prof. Heiko Balzter, Prof. Sir Charles Godfray FRS | Ministerial Roundtable to discuss accurate and accessible data to those involved in making decisions on land use |
| Trudy Harrison | 01/03/2023 | CLA, Forestry England, Forestry Commission, UK Squirrel Accord (UKSA), Red Squirrel North England, Wildlife Trusts, Woodland Trust, Royal Forestry Society, BASC, Red Squirrel Survival Trust (RSST), Penrith & District Red Squirrel Group, APHA, Northern Red Squirrels | Ministerial Roundtable to discussopportunities in delivery toward the Environmental Improvement Plan and the England Red Squirrel Action Plan |
| Trudy Harrison | 06/03/2023 | Nuclear Decommissioning Authority | To discuss opportunities for nature recovery, habitat creation and tree planting on nuclear sites |
| Trudy Harrison | 08/03/2023 | University of Cumbria, ICF, CONFOR, National Trust, Forestry Contracting Association, Chatsworth Estate, Adrow Lte | Ministerial Roundtable to discuss skills of the forestry workforce in England |
| Trudy Harrison | 08/03/2023 | Indigenous Leadership Initiative, Convention on Wetlands, Women4Biodiversity, Business for Nature, Wildlife Conservation Society, Birdlife International | To discuss the role of gender equity in delivery of the Global Biodiversity Framework |
| Trudy Harrison | 08/03/2023 | Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust | To discuss heather burning and the recent University of York report |
| Trudy Harrison | 16/03/2023 | Kingfisher PLC, Springfields Nursery | To discuss the use of peat in horticulture |
| Trudy Harrison | 16/03/2023 | Campaign for National Parks, Friends of the New Forest, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, New Forest NPA | To discuss main issues and achievements of the New Forest Park |
| Trudy Harrison | 21/03/2023 | British Association for Shooting and Conservation, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust | To discuss a few wildlife management issues |
| Trudy Harrison | 22/03/2023 | Robert Caudwell, Chair of Lowland Agricultural Peat Task Force | To discuss the findings and the publication of the Caudwell report |
| Trudy Harrison | 23/03/2023 | Johnson's of Whixley Garden Centre | To discuss the peat compost ban |
| Trudy Harrison | 23/03/2023 | Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, North York Moors NPA, Natural England, Local farmers: Chris Watson, Simon Cass, Neil Thompson, Philip Shardlow, National Trust, Hardmoors trail runners, Robin Hood's Bay Tourism Association, Fernleigh BnB, Graham Kemp - local cafe owner | England Coast Path, Coast to Coast, benefits of designation and accessibility |
| Trudy Harrison | 28/03/2023 | Norfolk Broads Authority | To discuss the governance of the Authority |
| Trudy Harrison | 29/03/2023 | Horticultural Trades Association | To discuss the peat compost ban |
| Trudy Harrison | 29/03/2023 | Sam Everington GP, Active Travel England, Charlotte Ditchburn, MIND, Disabled Ramblers, Peter Lau, Transport for All, National Trust, Visit England | Ministerial roundtable to discuss access to nature for disabled people |