Hear from NFU President Tom Bradshaw.
Responding to Emma Reynolds's appointment, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “I would like to congratulate Emma on her appointment as Defra Secretary of State. I look forward to working closely with her in the months ahead and hope she uses the role to champion farming, ensure its high production standards are valued and invest in its future with policies that back British farming and deliver for food security.
“I would also like to thank Steve Reed MP for his time in post. Despite not always agreeing, we developed a strong working relationship and his door was always open to the NFU. He recognised the planning system needed significant change to enable investment in the farm infrastructure of the future. I am confident he will be able to support rural growth and farming communities in his new role at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.”
Find out more about the new appointments
Emma Reynolds is the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. She is the Labour MP for Wycombe, elected in 2024, after previously serving as MP for Wolverhampton North East from 2010 until she lost her seat in 2019.
Since January 2025, she has been a minister in HM Treasury, serving as Economic Secretary to the Treasury, the minister with responsibility for financial services.
Dame Angela Eagle, MP for Wallasey, has also replaced Daniel Zeichner as Defra Minister of State. NFU President Tom Bradshaw responded: “I’d like to congratulate Dame Angela Eagle on her appointment as Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, and I look forward to working with her on the challenges and opportunities facing British farming.
“I’d also like to thank Daniel Zeichner for his engagement with the sector and his contribution during his time in the role.”
Dame Angela previously served as Minister of State (Minister for Border Security and Asylum) at the Home Office from 8 July 2024 to 6 September 2025, and was first elected to Parliament in 1992 when she became the first Labour MP for Wallasey.