Central

• Agriculture is fully devolved within the UK.
• The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) only works directly in England but works closely with devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and led on negotiations in the EU and internationally. The Department is supported by 33 public agencies and bodies (such as the Forestry Commission; a full list is available here).
• Claimants can register centrally for grants and subsidies, including the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, under the Common Agricultural Policy; the  Rural Payments Agency manages the programme on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). However, the UK will only continue to receive EU funds until 31 December 2020.

Regional

Agriculture is the responsibility of the devolved powers in the UK.

Wales

The Welsh Government oversees policy and strategies and sponsors various charities to assist farming communities. It oversees the Welsh Rural Development Programme; the Welsh European Funding Office handles programme evaluations. The Wales Act of 2017 also specifies devolved competencies on:

• prohibition and regulation of movement into and out of Wales of food, plants, animals and related things for the purposes of observing or implementing obligations under the Common Agricultural Policy
• consumer protection, product standards, safety and liability with regard to: agricultural and horticultural produce, animals and animal products, seeds, animal feeding stuffs, fertilisers and pesticides (including anything treated as if it were a pesticide by virtue of an enactment)
• employment and industrial relations on the subject matter of the Agricultural Sector (Wales) Act 2014
• fees for the registration of local land charges.

Scotland

In Scotland, agriculture policy is overseen by the Scottish Government, and rural payments and services are processed by area offices, available here.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, agriculture is overseen by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Local

There is no policy responsibility at local level.

Responsible ministries/bodies

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (England)

Devolved governments of the United Kingdom

Sources​

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (England)

Devolved government websites:

Scotland: https://www.parliament.scot/

 Wales: https://senedd.wales/en/Pages/Home.aspx

Northern Ireland: https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/