Michael Gove has told BBC Radio 4 he will 'listen and learn' from the farming community after being appointed Defra secretary on Sunday (11 June).
It comes as news that his previous comments and views on trade have alarmed some farmers' leaders.
Mr Gove was asked by the BBC about concerns farmers have raised surrounding Brexit, including EU subsidies and migrant labour.
He also reiterated the Conservative manifesto commitment to keep subsidy levels for farmers until the end of least 2022.
Mr Gove was then asked if there would be a future visa scheme for unskilled migrants.
"It's early days. One thing the Prime Minister wanted was as we bring migration down to sustainable levels we will do so in consultation with industry and one of our most important industries is agriculture," he said.
"We need to make sure the workforce is there and the support is there."
High quality food
When pressed on what kind of visa system would be in place to support seasonal labour such as fruit pickers he said he will talk to farming groups later today (13 June).
"In the past we've had a variety of schemes to ensure the agricultural workforce is in place to ensure the farmers produce high quality food.
"Of course I've given this issue some consideration. I want to make sure I can listen to the farming secretary, the NFU later today and others because I think the right approach to take in a new department is to listen and to learn and be clear about overall principles. Mine are to enhance the environment and continue to produce high quality food in this country.
"But the means by which we do so is for me to exercise appropriate humility, and listen and learn."
Starting to bite
Labour and skills shortages are starting to bite in UK sectors which employ a high number of migrants, according to research.
A survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found that despite a near record number of vacancies, 748,000 according to the latest Office for National Statistics data, UK employers are struggling to fill roles.
As many as one in four employers have seen evidence to suggest that non-UK nationals from the EU were considering leaving their organisation in 2017.
Non-UK nationals from the European Union almost halved from an average of more than 60,000 per quarter in the nine months to June 2016 to just 30,000 in the three months to September 2016.
'Significant experience'
Numerous farming and rural organisations have given their thoughts on Gove's appointment.
Rural organisation the CLA, which represents landowners and farmers, said Gove will bring 'significant' experience.
CLA President Ross Murray said: “He brings significant experience, a reputation for robust challenge of the status quo and a reformer’s zeal. These are all qualities that will serve the land based sector well.
“Defra has a major role to play in both the negotiations and in preparing for life after the UK exits the EU.”
The National Farmers’ Union president Meurig Raymond has written an open letter to Gove, giving him the wants and needs of the farming industry ahead of uncertain times.
The Tenant Farmers' Association has also written to Gove, welcoming him into his new position and to seek an early meeting to discuss the priorities for agriculture and its tenanted sector in the context of Brexit.
"The Prime Minister has placed a political heavyweight and prominent Brexiter in DEFRA and we look forward to working with Michael Gove in the weeks and months ahead," the TFA said.
