The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) has welcomed new Defra Secretary of State, Steve Barclay, into his role following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's reshuffle yesterday (13 November).
Mr Barclay, MP for North East Cambridgeshire, replaces Thérèse Coffey, who announced she would be 'stepping back from Government'.
Mr Barclay said he was "delighted" with his new role in a social media post as he pledged to work to support British farming and fishing, back rural communities and protect the environment.
"As an MP for a rural area, I know how important these issues are to many people up and down our country," he said.
Working alongside Mr Barclay is Keighley MP Robbie Moore as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State.
Mr Moore hails from a family of farmers in Lincolnshire, and before his election as MP, he worked as a rural chartered surveyor and farm business consultant. He has also been a member of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee throughout his time in Parliament.
Commenting on the reshuffle, RABDF Chairman Robert Craig said: "Mr Barclay has entered Defra at a critical time when there are so many changes going on in terms of BPS and the Sustainable Farm Incentive and the drive to net zero.
“I am also delighted to welcome fellow Nuffield Scholar Robbie Moore in his first ministerial role.
“As an organisation, we look forward to working with Mr Barclay and his team to push forward the issues important to British dairy farmers."