New Defra boss urges farmers to embrace global markets

The new Defra secretary, Ranil Jayawardena, believes British farmers should not be fazed by food imports as they can sell their high-value products to more lucrative overseas markets, according to farmers who recently met him.

The Conservative MP for North East Hampshire replaced George Eustice in new prime minister Liz Truss’ cabinet reshuffle this week.

Meanwhile, farm minister Victoria Prentis has moved to become minister of state at the Department for Work and Pensions.

See also: Ranil Jayawardena announced as new Defra secretary

A former banker, Mr Jayawardena had worked with Ms Truss in the Department for International Trade, where he served as minister since May 2020, and he shares her belief in the free market.

UK farmers are seriously concerned that free-trade agreements signed with countries including Australia, New Zealand and others, could trigger a flood of cheap food imports that would threaten their own livelihoods.

Mr Jayawardena met farmers in his North Hampshire constituency on 18 August at Joe Ives’ dairy farm in Herriard, near Basingstoke, in a meeting organised by the NFU.

The MP aired his views with farmers on the potential impact of free-trade deals on UK agriculture and other issues.

Reflecting on the meeting, Mr Ives said: “The impression I got was that if cheaper food products were to come in to fill a marketplace here, then British farmers could export their higher-value agricultural commodities to other markets abroad where the market is better.

“But the onus would be on private individuals and industry to initiate – supported by government.”

‘Keen to engage’

Mr Ives told Farmers Weekly he came away “very encouraged” by his meeting with the MP, who was keen to engage and listen to farmers’ concerns.

“He was very keen to get our views on where agriculture is and where it is going,” said Mr Ives. “We discussed food security, the SFI and ELM, Countryside Stewardship, funding issues, trade deals and other challenges, including rewilding and cropping.

“Some farmers were upfront, honest and robust in their views. He was very genuine. I didn’t feel he was whitewashing us.”

Farmer Tom Janaway described Mr Jaya­wardena as “a really personable, likeable chap” who was trying hard to understand the issues surrounding UK agriculture.

His MP was very open about his free market beliefs, he said. “He does firmly believe in British food, but he certainly does not believe necessarily in British food just for British people.”

List of priorities

Mr Jayawardena posted a video about the recent meeting on Facebook and said he was privileged to be appointed as Defra secretary.

“From food security and backing British farmers, to water security and growing our rural economy, I know that there is much to do,” he said.

“We will deliver a thriving British food industry, a cleaner environment and a growing economy, maximising the benefits of Brexit.”

NFU president Minette Batters congratulated Mr Jayawardena on his appointment and said she “looked forward to working with him to ensure British food and farming can continue to thrive and supply the nation with high-quality, climate-friendly British food”.