13/05/2010Posted : May 13, 2010
New DEFRA secretary revealed

Caroline Spelman MP has been appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by Prime Minister, David Cameron. Mrs Spelman has been the Member of Parliament for Meriden since 1997 and has held a number of senior posts in the Shadow Cabinet.

Caroline Spelman MP has been appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by Prime Minister, David Cameron. Mrs Spelman served in the Shadow Cabinet, covering the Environment, International Development and Communities and Local Government portfolios, as well as holding other senior posts.

Caroline Spelman, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs The announcement may come as a surprise to some, as initial speculation had seen Tory shadow secretary Nick Herbert and Lib-Dem shadow minister Tim Farron top the list of those expected to head the department.

Mrs Spelman has been the Member of Parliament for Meriden since 1997. Before entering Parliament, she had an extensive career in the agriculture sector, with 15 years in the agriculture industry and in-depth experience of the international arena, including as deputy director of the International Confederation of European Beet Growers and a research fellow for the Centre for European Agricultural Studies. She has also authored a book on the non-food use of agricultural products.

Mrs Spelman said: "I am delighted to have been appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The department is responsible for many of the things that are vital to our quality of life - the food we eat, the air we breathe and how we manage the land we live on and the seas that surround our shores.

"I will work across government and beyond to respond to the challenges of increasing food production, adapting to climate change, protecting our natural environment and ensuring we live sustainably."