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<p>Research and development (R&D), analysis and monitoring and surveillance provide
important input into evidence for decision-making, ensuring Defra’s polices are based
on a sound, comprehensive understanding of current evidence. It helps us find new
policy solutions and identify and tackle future issues.</p><p> </p><p>The term ‘evidence’
encompasses material from a variety of disciplines – science research, statistics,
economics, social research or operational research, and geographical information.</p><p>
</p><p>Core Defra’s spend in ‘evidence’, including its share of Research & Development
(R&D), during the last five years is summarised in the table below.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Core
Defra total evidence spend </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Core Defra R&D spend
</strong>(within the evidence total)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010/11</p></td><td><p>£209m</p></td><td><p>£106m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011/12</p></td><td><p>£199m</p></td><td><p>£110m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012/13</p></td><td><p>£189m</p></td><td><p>£101m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013/14</p></td><td><p>£149m</p></td><td><p>£91m</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014/15</p></td><td><p>£123m</p></td><td><p>£71m</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p>These figures include work commissioned by core Defra from its laboratory agencies,
namely the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science; the Food and
Environment Research Agency and the Animal and Plant Health Agency.</p><p> </p><p>Due
to both financial factors and wider changes in the context for how research and innovation
are being organised (e.g. as set out in the Higher Education White Paper), Defra’s
approach is evolving more towards that of consumer rather than commissioner of research.
Defra’s role will be to set out its key evidence needs and work with providers to
co-design research and other evidence, increasingly looking to the wider stakeholder
community to deliver the necessary evidence. For that to work effectively Defra will
strengthen relationships with research councils, other research funders, other government
departments and other overseas governments.</p><p> </p>
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