DEFRA Ministerial Appointments

DEFRA Ministers – the politicians, forming part of the British government, who lead and direct the department – are as follows. DEFRA Secretary of State is a member of the Cabinet.

• Caroline Spelman MP, Secretary of State
• Jim Paice MP, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food
• Richard Benyon MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Natural Environment and Fisheries
• Lord Taylor of Holbeach, Parliamentary Under-Secretary

Who are DEFRA – from  the DEFRA website (http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/ )

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is a government department in the UK.
We cover – we make policy and legislation, and work with others to deliver our policies in - areas such as:

• the natural environment, biodiversity, plants and animals
• sustainable development and the green economy
• food, farming and fisheries
• animal health and welfare
• environmental protection and pollution control
• rural communities and issues.

Although we only work directly in England, we work closely with the devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and we generally lead on negotiations in the EU and internationally.

• Read more about the department, including key facts and figures
• Read more about our priorities and objectives

The Government believes that we need to protect the environment for future generations, make our economy more environmentally sustainable, and improve our quality of life and well-being. We also believe that much more needs to be done to support the farming industry, protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable food production.