On Thursday, Defra announced it has abandoned plans to merge the Environment Agency with Natural England.

Following its Triennial Review of Natural England and the Environment Agency, Defra said both organisations and those they engage with would be best served if they remained separate Non-Departmental Public Bodies.

The Defra Review's findings highlighted the importance of Natural England, Defra and the Environment Agency working closely together, but decided the costs and upheaval associated with arranging a merger would outweigh any benefits; the review concluded that the groups should continue to do complementary work, while remaining essentially separate from one another.

The Wildlife Trusts welcomed the decision; Paul Wilkinson, Head of Living Landscape for the Trusts, said, "The critical thing is for these organisations to deliver for the environment.  By doing so, they will play their part in delivering sustainable development. 

"This Review has shown both agencies play vital roles.  The performance of these roles must now be maximised as they will need to provide essential scientific evidence and advice to Government, local authorities and other stakeholders." 

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, who commissioned the review, said the two organisations must reform their way of working. He said Natural England and the Environment Agency must work more closely still and expressed a desire for the groups, each tasked with different areas of environmental protection, to reduce the regulatory burden they place on farmers.

However, Wildlife Trusts' Paul Wilkinson contended that the bodies must be able to do their job properly. He said, "More than ever, they will need to assess the impacts of infrastructure development – roads, housing and energy - on our natural systems, and seek gains for nature.  They must also work with partners at a local level to ensure that the ambitions of the Natural Environment White Paper and Marine Act are achieved."

"It is essential that, as Defra works out where the axe will fall on its departmental budget, these agencies are spared the worst of the pain and given the resources they need to do their job," Wilkinson added.