Following the recent General Election, Defra has announced the various ministerial appointments to the Department.

Michael Gove

Biography

The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP was appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 11 June 2017. He was elected Conservative MP for Surrey Heath in 2005.

Political career

Michael was Shadow Minister for Housing from 2005 to 2007 and Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families from 2007 to 2010.

He served as Secretary of State for Education from May 2010 until July 2014. From July 2014 to May 2015, he served as Government Chief Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury. Michael also served as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice from May 2015 until 14 July 2016.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The Secretary of State has overall responsibility for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Specific responsibilities include:

• oversight of EU exit work and the overall policy programme
• international relations
• emergencies
• departmental administration

 

George Eustice

Biography

George Eustice was appointed Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on 11 May 2015. He was elected as the Conservative MP for Camborne and Redruth in 2010.

Political career

George served on the EFRA Select Committee from 2010.

Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Responsibilities include:

• food and farming, including CAP (Common Agricultural Policy), apprenticeships, exports, and bovine TB (tuberculosis) policy
• fisheries
• better regulation
• science and innovation

 

Thérèse Coffey

Biography

Thérèse Coffey was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 17 July 2016. She was elected the Conservative MP for Suffolk Coastal in May 2010.

Political Career

Thérèse Coffey served as Deputy Leader of the House of Commons from May 2015 until July 2016.

Thérèse served on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee until she was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to Michael Fallon, Minister for Business and Energy.

Thérèse has campaigned on stopping the A14 toll, improving NHS experience for patients and better broadband.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Environment and Rural Life Opportunities

Responsibilities include:

• natural environment, including biodiversity, the marine environment, and international wildlife trafficking
• rural life opportunities, covering rural childcare, education and skills, and health
• floods, water and waterways
• air quality
• resource and environment management

Lord Gardiner

Biography

Lord Gardiner was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity on 14 June 2017. Lord Gardiner served as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 17 July 2016 to June 2017. He is a Conservative member of the House of Lords.

Political career

He served as Lord in Waiting from September 2012 to May 2015, and as Government Deputy Chief Whip and Captain of the Queen’s Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard from May 2015 until July 2016.

Lord Gardiner was raised to the Peerage in 2010 and served as a party whip until being appointed to government. He served as Private Secretary to 5 successive Chairmen of the Conservative Party between 1989 and 1995.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity

Responsibilities include:

• rural ambassador and rural affairs, including broadband and mobile
• biosecurity strategy, including endemic and exotic plant and animal disease, invasive alien species and Kew Gardens
• animal health and welfare
• commercial projects
• landscape, including litter and national parks
• climate change adaptation
• National Pollinator Strategy
• all Defra parliamentary business in the House of Lords

 

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