The new Defra Secretary of State Michael Gove has vowed to back British farming during a reception event for MPs organised by the National Farmers' Union.
The meeting, which took place at Westminster yesterday afternoon (20 June), saw some 66 MPs and nine peers attend.
As Brexit negotiations began, the NFU underlined the importance of a sector worth £109bn to the economy, which employs 3.8 million people and looks after 70% of the nation’s land.
“I’m backing British farming because there is no group of people more dedicated to higher quality produce than British farmers,” said Mr Gove.
“There’s no group of people more dedicated to high environmental standards and high animal welfare standards than British farmers.
“And there is no group of people more dedicated to keeping our beautiful countryside productive and attractive, and something to cherish, than British farmers.”
'Huge opportunities'
There are 'huge opportunities' in being out of the European Union for the fishing and farming industry, the newly appointed Defra minister has recently said.
He said that getting out of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) means British farmers will be 'better protected' than ever before.
For Michael Gove, Defra faces some of the toughest challenges of any Government department as Brexit looms.
The EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which many farmers rely on, will have to be replaced with a UK-focused system.
'Listen and learn'
Nevertheless, Michael Gove has said he will 'listen and learn' from the farming community after being appointed Defra secretary on 11 June.
It comes as news that his previous comments and views on trade in the past have alarmed some farm leaders.
For example, in an interview with the Daily Mail before the EU referendum, Mr Gove said that leaving the European Union could provide British consumers with cheap food as a result of trade deals with emerging nations.
“An independent Britain could choose to strike free trade agreements with emerging economies and lower tariffs, extending new opportunities to developing nations and in the process allowing prices in Britain to become cheaper,” he said.
