Amid growing economy uncertainty and now the appointment of a new Prime Minister and a new Cabinet, we're continuing to ensure farmers' voices are heard amid the acute challenges facing British food production currently.
A key department for the NFU remains the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Thérèse Coffey has been appointed Defra Secretary of State.
Thérèse Coffey was previously Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and Deputy Prime Minister, between 6 September 2022 and 25 October 2022. She was Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions between September 2019 and September 2022. She has also worked within Defra, as Minister for ‘Environment and Rural Opportunity’ between July 2016 and 8 September 2019.
The NFU has reached out to both the Prime Minister and Defra Secretary to highlight the clarity and certainty that farmers need now more than ever during these turbulent times.
NFU reaction
NFU President Minette Batters said: “I am looking forward to working with Rishi Sunak on his plans to maintain and grow the nation’s food production and to ensure British farming continues to deliver for the environment, economy and food security.”
New Defra Secretary of State
Responding to Thérèse Coffey MP’s appointment as Secretary of State for Defra, NFU President Minette Batters said: “I would like to congratulate Thérèse Coffey on her appointment as Defra Secretary of State and thank Ranil Jayawardena for his work during his term at Defra.
“This is a crucial time for the country and I look forward to discussing some of the solutions British farming can bring to the table when it comes to growing our economy by producing more climate-friendly food for markets at home and overseas. British food and farming is currently worth more than £100 billion to the nation’s economy and has the potential to deliver so much more, in particular in our fight against climate change.
“We are at a pivotal time for agriculture policy. I look forward to working with the new Secretary of State to provide urgent clarity for farmers and growers on the new Environmental Land Management schemes to ensure they can deliver a thriving food and farming sector, alongside and equal to continued environmental protection and enhancement.”
Priorities for food and farming
During the leadership campaign and the hustings events hosted by the NFU, Minette set out the priority areas for food and farming that the government needs to focus on across Whitehall.
Minette emphasised the need for a statutory underpinning of food production that looks to maintain current levels of self-sufficiency as well as an international trade strategy that enables agriculture to achieve the NFU's ambition of growing our food and drink exports from 30% by 2030. Existing high animal welfare and environmental standards in the UK must also not be undermined by lower standard imports.
“I am looking forward to working with Rishi Sunak on his plans to maintain and grow the nation’s food production and to ensure British farming continues to deliver for the environment, economy and food security.”
NFU President Minette Batters
Other key priorities include an immigration system that recognises the specific needs and challenges of agriculture and horticulture in sourcing the labour it needs and provides certainty for businesses, particularly horticultural businesses where the government recognises there are huge opportunities for growth.
Regulation and planning are also top of the agenda with regards to allowing farmers and growers to invest in their businesses and boost productivity.
Cabinet reshuffle
Other key appointments to the new government include Grant Shapps as the new Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. He was previously Home Secretary between 19 October 2022 to 25 October 2022, Secretary of State for Transport between July 2019 and September 2022, and Minister of State at the Department for International Development from May 2015 until November 2015. He was elected the Conservative MP for Welwyn Hatfield in 2005.
Kemi Badenoch was also reappointed Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade, having also served in this role after being appointed by Liz Truss on 6 September 2022. She was also appointed Minister for Women and Equalities. Previously she was Minister of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities between September 2021 and July 2022.