The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is a State Owned UK government department founded in 2001, employing approximately 6,060 individuals. Functioning as a government administration entity, it is responsible for policy and regulations spanning environmental, food, and rural issues, with specific oversight for the natural environment, biodiversity, plants and animals, sustainable development and the green economy, food, farming and fisheries, animal health and welfare, environmental protection and pollution control, and rural communities and related issues.