The department’s news and external communications team (pictured) won the ‘Best Use of Twitter’ category in this year’s UK Social Media Communications Awards.
Director of Communications at Defra, Kim Worts, said: "Winning this award shows that it's possible for government to deliver top quality digital communications on a tiny budget.
“It is all about skills. Here at Defra we have embedded digital into the work of our news and external communications team. Every press officer is expected to deliver more now through social media than they do through traditional press releases and briefing notes."
She added:
“Social media is part of everything we do - whether we're engaging with stakeholders in policy making, breaking news stories, debunking myths on badger culling or campaigning to raise awareness of new policies like compulsory microchipping."
Alex Aiken, executive director for government communications, used Twitter himself to tell CSW: "Great work from leading government comms teams that combines insight, impact and evaluation for public good.”
Now in their fourth year, the awards saw 168 entries from the private and public sector, competing for awards in 19 categories.
Other public sector winners include the NHS Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit, who won the ‘Best use of YouTube’ category for its ‘Hand Washing Gangnam Style’ clip (below).
The ‘Best use of Facebook’ award was won by the NHS Blood and Transplant team for its Facebook campaign, attracting 100,000 blood donors in 100 days.