Robert Goodwill has been appointed as the new minister for agriculture, fisheries and food, replacing George Eustice, who resigned earlier this week.
Goodwill, a Eurosceptic, is the Conservative MP for Scarborough and Whitby, and joins Defra at a pivotal time as the department grapples with numerous issues affecting food producers around Brexit.
The former transport minister started his political career as an MEP in 1999, serving in Brussels and Strasbourg until the 2004 European election.
After spending 18 months as a member of the transport select committee, he was appointed as a government whip in 2006 and promoted to the post of shadow roads minister in the transport team in 2007. He was re-elected at the 2010 general election and appointed to the government as a whip with responsibility for HM Treasury and Defra business.
Goodwill, like his predecessor Eustice who made much play of his background on a strawberry farm, has personal history in farming. His family has owned 250 acres of land near Malton since 1850, which he himself has farmed since 1979, and he has also been managing director of Mowthorpe Ltd since 1995, which offers environmentally friendly burials in the North Yorkshire countryside.
NFU president Minette Batters congratulated Goodwill on his appointment, stressing that this is a critical time for farmers. “I will be seeking a meeting with Mr Goodwill as a matter of priority to discuss the pressing issues currently facing farmers and growers, in particular the impact ongoing Brexit uncertainty is having on farm businesses and the need for Parliament to reach a deal with the EU, avoiding the devastating impacts of a no-deal Brexit,' she said.
“This is a pivotal time for British farming. The Agriculture Bill currently going through Parliament presents an opportunity to shape agricultural policy for generations to come. I will be stressing to the minister the importance of having food production at the heart of this new policy, alongside measures to protect and enhance our cherished countryside.'
CLA president Tim Breitmeyersaid: “As a farmer himself he will be all too aware of the major issues and uncertainties landowners and farmers are currently facing across their businesses, and will have an innate understanding of the vital role they play for society as producers of food and stewards of the countryside.This can only be a positive for our members and the wider farming community.
“We know from previous ministerial roles that Robert is willing to listen and engage on the issues that matter and we are looking forward to him continuing the good work of his predecessor and working together to deliver a bright future for the rural economy.'
