Government Social Research
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) wishes to commission a research report examining the present system of environmental enforcement, the objectives of which are to: i) gather, analyse and present evidence sufficient to identify and define the nature of significant obstacles to efficient and effective enforcement, including sanctions, in England and Wales; ii) to objectively describe any significant obstacles; and iii) to identify, in the form of criteria, what possible solutions would need to achieve in order to overcome any such obstacles. It is envisaged that the study will provide an in depth discussion structured around key research questions, and this would rely mainly on: i) a systematic review of past Defra-commissioned work and external research; ii) analysis of relevant statistics from enforcers, including the Environment Agency, and other sources; and iii) identifying important gaps and filling them – proposals will be needed. Further information, including full project specification, guidance notes, contract information and proposal forms are available online at on the Defra website, or contact Peter Johnson on 020 7082 8544 or by email peter.johnson@defra.gsi.gov.uk.