Committee publication · Correspondence · 6 January 2026
Correspondence from Paul Kissack, Permanent Secretary, DEFRA regarding Defra Post Implementation Reviews (PIRs), dated 18 December 2025
Summary
Paul Kissack, DEFRA Permanent Secretary, updates the EFRA Committee on post-implementation reviews (PIRs). DEFRA has published 35 PIRs in 2025, including 8 from a previous backlog. Only 2 overdue PIRs remain: one awaiting ministerial clearance for 2026 publication, the other paused pending EU Reset considerations. The department reports clearing its backlog and committing to improved processes for future reviews.
Key findings
- 35 PIRs published in 2025, compared to 37 in 2024 and 25 in 2023, representing sustained acceleration from the 1 published in 2022.
- Of the 10 overdue PIRs reported in May 2025, only 2 remain: the Agricultural Diffuse Pollution Regulations and the Animal By-Products Enforcement Regulations.
- 4 PIRs published ahead of statutory deadlines: Agriculture Model Clauses, Nagoya Protocol, Plastic Straws/Cotton Buds/Stirrers, and Seed Potatoes Regulations.
- 1 PIR (Air Quality Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) missed its deadline but has since been published.
- DEFRA pausing work on Animal By-Products PIR until later 2026 due to EU Reset scope; Agricultural Diffuse Pollution PIR to be published in early 2026 pending ministerial approval.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
regulationcomplianceenvironmental-policyagriculturestatutory-review
Key actors
Paul Kissack, Alistair Carmichael, Tamara Finkelstein, DEFRA, Regulatory Policy Committee, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Notable line
“… the overall backlog left to be cleared stands at 2 PIRs. Seacole Building 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF T 03459 335577 defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk www.gov.uk/defra …”
Key Quotes
“Since the last update, Defra has published 13 PIRs. This includes 8 PIRs from the previously reported backlog of overdue PIRs.”
“The PIR for the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013 is not currently being progressed as it falls in scope of EU Reset considerations and, as such, we are pausing work on it until later in”
“As the work to clear Defra's backlog winds down, we are turning our focus to ensuring the quality and timeliness of future PIRs via refreshing our processes and guidance for the upcoming programme.”
“I remain committed to ensuring that the backlog is cleared at the earliest opportunity and that Defra's statutory review obligations are met going forwards.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗