Skip to content

All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated.

To view this licence, visit:
https://nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3

or write to:
Information Policy Team,
The National Archives,
Kew,
London TW9 4DU

or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

This publication is available at:
https://lawcom.gov.uk.

© Crown copyright

Environmental legislation and farming

image of fields and trees

A review of environmental laws that apply to agricultural businesses in England

Background (Back to top)

Over two-thirds of land in England is used for agriculture. The agricultural sector makes a significant contribution to the economy and supports the nation’s well-being through the supply of safe, healthy food.  Like other major sectors, agriculture is subject to a wide range of regulation.  

Agricultural regulation aims to protect the environment, safeguard public health, maintain high standards of livestock welfare and ensure that food is safe to eat. However, the laws that apply to agriculture are extensive and can be difficult to access, navigate and understand. Those laws can also, in places, be outdated, inconsistent, or duplicative in their substance or effect. 

Project (Back to top)

The Law Commission has been asked by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (“Defra”) to review the environmental legislation applicable to agricultural businesses in England. The purpose of the review is to identify opportunities to simplify, modernise and consolidate the law in this area.  

As part of this review, we may also consider whether there are legislative barriers to the effective enforcement of the law in this area. In addition, we may also examine the extent to which the current legal framework takes a prescriptive rather than outcome-based approach to regulation. 

In carrying out its review, the Commission will not consider the simplification, consolidation of modernisation of regulations that are the subject of ongoing review by the UK Government (including specific water regulations). The review will also not make any recommendations to lower environmental standards. 

Next steps (Back to top)

Our work on this project will begin in April 2026. We will undertake detailed analysis of the law in this area and speak to those individuals and organisations who are affected by the legislation under review. We aim to publish a consultation paper in early 2027. 

Documents (Back to top)

Terms of reference

Contact  (Back to top)

Please contact the project team at: ELF@lawcommission.gov.uk if you have any questions or would like to be kept informed about the progress of the review.