I am delighted that I have been
re-appointed as Minster of State for Farming, Food and the Marine Environment
at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I said during the EU
referendum campaign that I hoped to be the first Farming Minister in over 40
years with the power to design a new national agriculture policy starting from
first principles, so I am delighted to be offered this opportunity.
We have an enormous task ahead of
us. I do think it is important now to bring the country together, put the
campaign behind us and all work together to implement the collective will of
the nation. I am pleased that a government has now been formed, giving us
the certainty to move forwards and put in place new agriculture, fisheries and
environment policies.
Rather than having lawyers coming
in to my ministerial office to tell me that nothing can be done because of EU
law, instead my office can now become a vibrant hub of discussion with farmers,
fishermen, scientists, ecologists and volunteers talking about how we can try
new things and do better for our agriculture, fisheries and environment.
I want us to put in place a very
close partnership with the EU based on friendship and cooperation and I want
the UK to be a generous and outward looking country that is a good global
citizen. I will strive in the months ahead to ensure that we get our
approach right.
