Best DEFRA Podcasts (2025)

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On lifting People Up – a conversation with Nicola Bettesworth, Defra Chief People Officer, Group Corporate Services, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 41:07

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14d ago41:07

41:07

ABOUT THIS EPISODE Today’s guest is Nicola Bettesworth, Defra Chief People Officer, Group Corporate Services, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I had the joy of meeting Nicola when she was looking for a leadership partner to work with her and her leadership team. We very quickly built our relationship, and have enjoyed a true part…

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Torturous wait for Defra's vision for farming, crowds flock to Agritechnica, herbicide ban threat, & hundreds pay tribute to David Richardson 45:10

25d ago45:10

45:10

Just why is it taking so long for the UK government to set out its vision for farming? As Defra secretary Emma Reynolds prepares to give her first major speech to farmers, vital reports and strategies remain unpublished. The government says some will be published before Christmas - others later. We ask incoming CLA president Gavin Lane what Emma Re…

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Should we be more upbeat about farming? New Landscape Recovery scheme, risk v reward – latest wheat varieties, rebel Labour MP suspended over IHT, and African swine fever hits Spanish pig exports 48:56

3d ago48:56

48:56

In this episode, experts voice concern at a get-out clause in government plans for a £500m Landscape Recovery scheme for farmers. We look at the opportunities for growers and livestock producers from Defra's Environmental Improvement Plan – and ask: is it fatally flawed? How much risk should you accept when chasing high yields? We get to grips with…

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Environmental Improvement Plan makes landfall – but Starmer M.I.A 27:11

7d ago27:11

27:11

This week the government published its long-awaited Environmental Improvement plan. The report is intended to lay out how the government will deliver on the Environment Act 2021’s legally-binding targets. The reception has been mixed – but why has the prime minister’s words on the day sparked debate? On this week’s podcast, ECO Chamber host, James …

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What do you have to let go of to let something new in? A conversation with Asad Dhunna Founder and CEO of The Unmistakables 42:06

2d ago42:06

42:06

About this episode: Today’s guest is Asad Dhunna Founder and CEO of the Unmistakables. In our conversation Asad offers valuable insights into: Creativity Bravery Humour Spirituality Asad’s Key Encouragements to Leaders: Work out what's going on for people. Talk about what makes you nervous. Sometimes you have to let go to let in. To connect, follow…

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Police face questions over banned London tractor protest, inheritance tax & what Budget means for your farm business, and National Fruit Show celebration 48:19

11d ago48:19

48:19

In this episode, Metropolitan Police chiefs face questions after banning protesting farmers from bringing tractors to London. As the government makes a small concession on plans to impose inheritance tax on farmers, we examine what the Budget means for your farm business. Budget analysis by: Stuart Maggs, Howes Percival Sam Kirkham,. Albert Goodman…

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COP, out: Climate summit key takeaways as UK budget looms 26:32

14d ago26:32

26:32

Climate negotiations at COP30 in Belém, Brazil have come to an end. On this week’s podcast, ECO Chamber special guest Dr Timo Leiter from the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, and a veteran of eight international climate conferences, shares his insights on the latest summit. The ENDS Report team discusses the progre…

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Update on Sustainable Farming Incentive, new campaign against inheritance tax, food inflation, CLA conference, and Tesco launches environmental baselining 46:56

18d ago46:56

46:56

In this episode, Defra secretary Emma Reynolds reveals the government's latest thinking on relaunching the Sustainable Farming Incentive. Ms Reynolds was speaking during a Q&A session at the Country Land and Business Association annual conference in London. Farmers return to Westminster to protest against inheritance tax. Can we really expect any c…

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Planning Bill ping-pongs as waste mountain piles up 24:55

21d ago24:55

24:55

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is nearing the end of its controversial passage in the House of Lords, with NGO lobby groups trying to come up with a compromise in a last minute huddle. Will they succeed? At the same time, a High Court challenge and a new report from the Environmental Audit Committee has added more fuel to the fire. The team a…

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Mitigation hierarchy hijinks in Planning Bill final furlong 29:32

28d ago29:32

29:32

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is nearing the end of its controversial passage in the House of Lords, but a new last-minute amendment has caused fresh consternation among environmental experts. On this week’s ECO Chamber, deputy editor Tess Colley and podcast host James Agyepong-Parsons get to grips with the bill’s latest changes alongside sp…

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Farm Profitability Review - Minette Batters makes 57 recommendations, MPs call for farm productivity boost, & how growers are being rewarding for regenerative farming 51:42

1M ago51:42

51:42

In this episode, Defra is considering 57 recommendations after Minette Batters submits her long-awaited Farm Profitability Review. We take a look at some of main themes – including better collaboration between farmers and a closer relationship between industry and government. A cross-party group of MPs say urgent action is needed to improve agricul…

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EA comes out swinging as Lords slam waste crime 'incompetence’ 25:53

1M ago25:53

25:53

Waste crime costs England's economy around £1 billion a year in damages, but a new inquiry has levelled accusations of “incompetency” at the Environment Agency in dealing with it. But the news has gone without comment from the regulator chief… In this week’s episode, ECO Chamber host James Agyepong-Parsons and ENDS editor Jamie Carpenter discuss th…

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Collaborations, Partnerships and Passion: A Journey - a conversation with Kate Lowe Founder and Director and Alex Remington, Director of Partnerships at Both Barrels 38:12

1M ago38:12

38:12

ABOUT THIS EPISODE Today’s guest are Kate Lowe Founder and Director and Alex Remington, Director of Partnerships at Both Barrels. In our conversation Kate and Alex offer valuable insights into how their passions and purpose of Family, Relationships, Integrity and Never Giving Up are woven into the fabric of their lives and leadership. Why clients c…

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Supermarkets refuse to engage with farm assurance review, gene-editing and classical swine fever, & why the world needs more red meat 47:29

1M ago47:29

47:29

In this week’s podcast, some of Britain’s biggest supermarkets are refusing to engage with a review of UK farm assurance schemes. A progress report on improving schemes like Red Tractor has struggled to gather input from Britain's big retail chains. Just three supermarkets have responded on an individual basis with the British Retail Consortium (BR…

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Nutrient neutrality gets legal 'Dyno-Rod' as Planning Bill looms 23:12

1M ago23:12

23:12

For years, a battle over nutrient neutrality has been raging in the courts. This came to a head in the Supreme Court this month. On this week’s podcast, ECO Chamber host James Agyepong-Parsons and deputy editor Tess Colley speak with lawyer Estelle Dehon KC from Cornerstone Barristers about the potential impacts of the ruling. The trio also discuss…

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Legal advice over backdated milk price cuts, Scottish farming future funding, & encouraging the next generation into agriculture 43:09

2M ago43:09

43:09

In this week’s podcast, dairy farmers could launch legal action over back-dated milk price cuts. Can a partnership approach between industry leaders and the Scottish government aims to deliver a better future for farming? And we discover that urban youngsters often know much more about farming than we think they do. This episode of the Farmers Week…

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Uncloaked: Labour targets planning ‘traitors’ as Reform rages at solar 19:49

2M ago19:49

19:49

In May, Reform UK took control of Lincolnshire County Council - a region set to become home to the UK’s largest solar farm.. With local opposition sounding the alarm over the project, the party’s deputy leader Richard Tice has warned that the project would “devastate thousands of acres of productive farmland and countryside in Lincolnshire”. This w…

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Step Outside to See Inside: The 3Cs Every Leader Needs: A conversation with Lisa Partridge, communication skills specialist, facilitator & founder of SIXCOMMS 31:17

2M ago31:17

31:17

ABOUT THIS EPISODE Today’s guest is Lisa Partridge, communication skills specialist, facilitator, founder of SIXCOMMS and host of the SIXCOMMS podcast. I had the joy of getting to know Lisa through following each other on LinkedIn, and through our shared passion for working in nature with leaders. Lisa invites people to ‘Come Curious, and Leave Con…

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Banned Red Tractor advert - what can we learn? Farm management company serves notice on 8,000ha, future for contract farming, & stewardship extension 53:48

2M ago53:48

53:48

In this episode, we examine the lessons to be learned after the UK advertising watchdog bans a TV ad for Red Tractor farm assurance. We look at the future for arable farming following Velcourt's decision to serve notice on 8,000ha of contract farming agreements. Are family farms better placed to ride out tough times? And is a last-minute extension …

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Flooding: Is the UK’s most frequent natural disaster Labour’s ‘build, baby, build’ blindspot? 22:53

2M ago22:53

22:53

The government wants to ‘build, baby, build’ 1.5 million homes before the turn of the decade but could flooding scupper its ambitions? Listen to the ECO Chamber to find out more… Flooding is the UK’s most frequent natural disaster, affecting people, properties, businesses and places in the short-, medium-, and long-term, destroying critical infrast…

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Government could ease inheritance tax pain, British Food Fortnight - should Defra do more?, fertiliser market, & bursary pays farm student fees 40:08

2M ago40:08

40:08

Government ministers are said to be looking at easing plans to impose inheritance tax on farmers. Civil servants are reportedly looking again at increasing the proposed threshold which would exempt more farming families from the tax. Could the government be working harder to put more British food on British plates? Yes, says Alexia Robinson, the fo…

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Party’s over as Tories target climate law, ‘carbon taxes’ and DEFRA’s agencies 24:31

2M ago24:31

24:31

This week, ENDS Report’s news editor Pippa Neill speaks with ECO Chamber host James Agyepong-Parsons from the Conservative Party’s conference in Manchester with the lowdown on its plans to scrap the Climate Change Act, streamline nature regulators and abolish “carbon taxes”. In the studio ENDS senior reporter Shosha Adie also discusses the key take…

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Trust in who you are becoming – a conversation with Karen Foy executive coach, mentor, supervisor and author of ‘Breaking the Coaching Code' 37:58

2M ago37:58

37:58

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Big delay to flagship green scheme, milk market tumble, bluetongue latest, farm protest at Labour conference, & Farmers Weekly Awards 43:09

2M ago43:09

43:09

Farmers in England face significant cashflow shortfalls following further delays to the government's Sustainable Farming Incentive. The flagship scheme is not expected to reopen for applications until April 2026 at the earliest due to budget constraints and IT issues. Protesting farmers vent their frustration at the government's farming policies at…

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‘Build, baby, build’: Labour Party Conference red hats, red tape - and green nerves 25:44

2M ago25:44

25:44

The government says it wants to “streamline planning rules” to kickstart the building of three “new towns” and a new environment secretary has promised to make DEFRA a department of growth. So is nature getting squeezed out? ENDS Report’s deputy editor Tess Colley reveals her key takehomes from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool with Eco Cham…

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Special czar to oversee tenant farming, AI(Live): how artificial intelligence is boosting livestock productivity, & Future of Food exhibition at the Science Museum 42:47

2M ago42:47

42:47

In this week’s podcast, we have a special interview with tenant farming commissioner Alan Laidlaw following his appointment. What does his new role mean for landlords and tenants? And how does he see a code of practice for the tenanted sector working in England? How artificial intelligence is helping livestock farmers increase productivity in a way…

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Reap what you sow: Lancashire's toxic town - exposed 19:13

3M ago19:13

19:13

Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK’s biggest green news stories and bring you up to speed on the latest developments in environmental policy. This week, ENDS Report’s deputy editor Tess Colley speaks with news editor Pippa Neil. After obtaining never-before-seen documents, ENDS Report can reveal that the chemical man…

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Random meetings are dancing lessons from God - a conversation with Sir Tim Smit, Co‑Founder of the Eden Project 39:01

3M ago39:01

39:01

ABOUT THIS EPISODE I had the joy of meeting Tim when he came to speak on the Marketing Leaders Programme some years ago. I had previously heard about his amazing adventures with the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project in Cornwall, the UK, from a mutual friend. I then had the pleasure of meeting again at Anthropy 25 which was hosted at the …

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Growers rip up autumn cropping plans, rebel MPs battle inheritance tax, farmers told to repay environmental funding, & AgriFuture Forum welcomes new entrants 47:02

3M ago47:02

47:02

As growers rip up autumn cropping plans following another challenging season, we look at ways to get the best for your farm business. A new group of rural Labour MPs says it is backing British food producers – and launches its own action plan for the countryside. Will it make a difference? We look at the fallout after the Rural Payments Agency trie…

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Boy Wasted: What happens next? 16:03

3M ago16:03

16:03

Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK’s biggest green news stories and bring you up to speed on the latest developments in environmental policy. This week, in a departure from business as usual, ECO Chamber host James Agyepong-Parsons sits down with the creators of Boy Wasted – a Smoke Trail production for ENDS Report a…

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Boy Wasted - Episode 3: Wasted Lives 24:04

3M ago24:04

24:04

In this finale episode, the team asks a disturbing question: what if there is not just one body, but hundreds? As the team join the dots between Britain and Turkey, they begin to uncover the awful scale of deaths, lies and secrets that are buried in our recycling. Boy Wasted is the thrilling three-part environmental true crime investigation, presen…

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Boy Wasted - Episode 2: The Boss 15:37

3M ago15:37

15:37

It's a case that doesn’t make any sense: a boy's body found shredded in a bale of plastic, kept entirely secret. The team begin investigating the people who know about the death. When an eye witness comes forward, the allegations get even bigger. Boy Wasted is the thrilling three-part environmental true crime investigation, presented by Dan Ashby a…

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Boy Wasted - Episode 1: The Body 22:45

3M ago22:45

22:45

When a mystery body of a boy is found in a bale of recycled plastic in Turkey, a team of investigative journalists decide to work out what happened. They go looking for answers in industrial yards and dodgy offices, but the story gets more risky. Tensions explode in Istanbul and one of their team is arrested. But they have to know: who was the boy?…

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Stewardship cliff-edge, Back British Farming Day, Agroforestry Show & beef-calf strategy at Dairy Day 46:39

3M ago46:39

46:39

In this episode, thousands of farmers face a cliff-edge when their countryside stewardship agreements expire – with nothing to replace them. Those with mid-tier schemes running out at the end of this year – just three months away – are left facing a stark choice: maintain beneficial environmental features at their own expense, or destroy them up an…

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Reform UK jamboree hands mic to climate denial as Starmer shuffles the deck 29:29

3M ago29:29

29:29

Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK’s biggest green news stories and bring you up to speed on the latest developments in environmental policy. This week, ECO Chamber host James Agyepong-Parsons speaks with editor Jamie Carpenter about Reform UK’s party conference hosted at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham …

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Coming soon: Boy Wasted 2:07

3M ago2:07

2:07

There's a concrete yard with piles of plastic, and lying on the ground is the body of a boy - grotesquely ripped apart. Who was he? And what really happened to him? A team of award-winning investigative journalists set out to find out. You can listen to all three episodes of Boy Wasted on the Eco Chamber podcast feed from 16 September 2025. A Smo…

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New Defra secretary Emma Reynolds – what can we expect? Confusion over funding for Young Farmers, bovine TB, and school launches BTEC in agriculture 40:41

3M ago40:41

40:41

In this episode, we look at what farmers can expect from new Defra secretary Emma Reynolds - her policies and personality. To discuss that and more, we’re joined by Jonathan Reynolds, director of external affairs at the Country Land and Business Association. The National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs says it has been told it will no longer rec…

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Sweet nothings: What hot fudge sundaes have to do with a PFAS lobbying push 29:15

3M ago29:15

29:15

Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK’s biggest green news stories and bring you up to speed on the latest developments in environmental policy. This week, ECO Chamber host James Agyepong-Parsons speaks with deputy editor Tess Colley about the chemicals industry’s attempts to influence UK politicians on regulating forev…

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Farmers help firefighters battle huge moorland blaze, hay and straw shortage, pig and poultry pollution, & warning over safe tractor driving 40:15

3M ago40:15

40:15

In this episode, farmers are helping firefighters battle a huge moorland blaze in Yorkshire. Farmers are using slurry tankers to deliver water to fire crews fighting flames which have engulfed thousands of acres of the Yorkshire Moors. Hot weather and lack of rain has seen hay and straw is imported into the UK from France to help drought-hit livest…

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No birdie for golfing billionaire as watchdog bristles at golf course plans 17:43

3M ago17:43

17:43

Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK’s biggest green news stories and bring you up to speed on the latest developments in environmental policy. This week, Eco Chamber host James Agyepong-Parsons speaks with senior reporter Shosha Adie about a proposed golf course in the Scottish Highlands which one watchdog says has ha…

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Oilseed rape - surprise crop of the year? Sugar beet price, food price inflation, more on electronic tagging, and tributes to David Richardson 42:16

4M ago42:16

42:16

Harvest has been hugely variable this summer – with many growers in prime arable areas reporting terrible cereal yields. But has one crop bucked the trend? After years of decline and disappointment, oilseed rape is having a bit of a moment. Could it, perhaps, be crop of the year? Is £30/t an acceptable price for sugar beet? We find out. We’ve more …

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The sky high PFAS levels revealed at England's airports 18:29

4M ago18:29

18:29

Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK’s biggest green news stories and bring you up to speed on the latest developments in environmental policy. For today’s episode we bring you an ENDS exclusive on the levels of toxic forever chemicals detected at English airports described as “alarmingly” high by experts. Per- and pol…

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Niche News Update: Returning Soon with Enhanced Coverage 1:40

4M ago1:40

1:40

Niche News update on our upcoming relaunch with enhanced journalistic standards, better source verification, and daily coverage across multiple topics. We're returning soon with improved quality and uninterrupted service.By Niche News

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AHDB harvest error, alternative inheritance tax plan, Vivergo bioethanol plant, drought, & electronic ID for cattle 44:08

4M ago44:08

44:08

A data error means the latest harvest progress report over-estimates yields – and triggers an investigation by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. Why wasn't the report right in the first place? Industry leaders give a mixed reaction to the latest inheritance tax proposals. And one of Britain's biggest livestock auctioneers voices c…

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High seas for UK seabirds as world's 'biggest' wind farm greenlit 27:35

4M ago27:35

27:35

Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK’s biggest green news stories and bring you up to speed on the latest developments in environmental policy. In Scotland, the world’s largest wind farm has been approved. SSE Renewable’s Berwick Bank offshore wind farm will be constructed 38km off the coast from St Abb's Head National…

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5-Minute British Farming Daily August - 12, 2025 3:06

4M ago3:06

3:06

UK farmgate prices experience volatility as DEFRA announces new regulatory frameworks and subsidy programs. Rural economy adapts to post-Brexit agricultural policies while equipment demand increases.By Niche News

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5-Minute British Farming Daily August - 11, 2025 5:26

4M ago5:26

5:26

UK farmers navigate evolving trade relationships and labor challenges, DEFRA policy developments reshape agricultural support frameworks, and rural economy adapts to changing market conditions.By Niche News

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5-Minute British Farming Daily August - 10, 2025 6:07

4M ago6:07

6:07

The Ulster Farmers' Union has raised concerns about a new nature scheme, while DEFRA is returning £150 million in grants to farmers. Two bird flu cases have been confirmed on UK farms, highlighting biosecurity risks.By Niche News

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Kemi Badenoch hits out on inheritance tax, dairy farmer crowdfunds renewable energy project, harvest update & deep dive into autumn weed control 43:42

4M ago43:42

43:42

In this episode, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch visits an Essex farm – meeting farmers to talk about inheritance tax. We’ve an exclusive interview. We meet the Yorkshire dairy farmer who is starting a renewable energy company – and powering up the local community. And we take an in-depth look at autumn weed control. This episode of the Farmers Weekly Po…

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Watchdog barks as biodiversity net gain foundations shake 24:11

4M ago24:11

24:11

Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK’s biggest green news stories and bring you up to speed on the latest developments in environmental policy. The pillars of biodiversity net gain - a flagship nature policy - are under stress as the Office for Environmental Protection has warned the government against making any subst…