DEFRA Secretary Speaks

New DEFRA Secretary Andrea Leadsom has been notably quiet since taking over the post.  Following her speech at the Conservative Party conference we are perhaps not much clearer on knowing her policy priorities.  The speech was long on optimism around the opportunities that Brexit brings for the food and farming industries, but notably short on specifics such as future trading relationships with the EU, support levels for farming, and access to labour.  The full speech can be found at – http://press.conservatives.com/post/151291662770/leadsom-a-rural-economy-and-environment-that-work

Some policy areas were highlighted.  These included rural broadband, flood defence, and bovine TB.  Specific mention was also given to the Great British Food Unit that was launched earlier this year to help grow exports of UK food.  It is clear that DEFRA is still working on a 25-year Food and Farming Plan, and a 25-year Environment Plan.  There was no indication when these would be published however.  Mention was also made of helping farmers deal with volatility, which perhaps reinforces George Eustice’s views around future farm support looking at the Canadian model for inspiration.  Finally, there was a clear aim to get more of the population out into the countryside – tapping into the Conference’s overall theme of a ‘country that works for everyone’.