Steve Barclay appointed as new Defra secretary in reshuffle

MP for North East Cambridgeshire Steve Barclay has been announced as the new Defra secretary. 

The announcement comes after Therese Coffey resigned as Defra secretary, after serving just over 12 months in post.

Ms Coffey did not initially endear herself to the farming community, making a prickly appearance at the NFU conference earlier this year and failing to turn up to many other events.

In recent months, however, agricultural leaders offered muted praise for her performance at the department, where she promised to continue badger culling indefinitely and ruled out a ban on glyphosate.

Her resignation comes on the day of a wider cabinet reshuffle by prime minister Rishi Sunak, in which home secretary Suella Braverman was sacked and replaced by James Cleverly and David Cameron made a return to the front benches as foreign secretary.

In her resignation letter, Ms Coffey said: “I have strengthened the foundations for Defra to deliver here in the UK and globally, such that this government has achieved more than any other to protect our planet. 

“Having a sustainable farming and food sector is critical for our long-term food security and by listening to farmers and making changes, I am confident we can deliver that sustainability and strengthen both our farming and fishing sectors.”

Keep an eye on the Farmers Weekly website for a full profile on Steve Barclay MP.