Davies appointed natural resources minister

Alun Davies has been appointed as minister for natural resources and food after being promoted from his role as deputy agriculture minister in the Welsh government.

"Delighted to have been invited to join the Cabinet as Minister for Natural Resources and Food. Looking forward to the new challenge" Davies said.

The Farmers' Union of Wales congratulated him on his appointment and said they had 'major concerns regarding the splitting of the previous rural affairs department since Mr Davies was appointed deputy minister nearly two years ago.'

FUW President Emyr Jones said: "Since then the union has tried to give the new administration the benefit of the doubt despite those concerns regarding the impact of dividing key agricultural issues between ministerial portfolios."

"Major changes were needed to ensure agricultural issues are dealt with in a more coordinated manner, particularly when policies impact upon agriculture and the environment and the interdependence between these issues continues to be a key topic in negotiations over the future of the Common Agricultural Policy.

The National Farmers' Union said they were pleased agriculture was promoted back to ministerial level.

"Our concerns regarding the split portfolios in 2011 have now been addressed and we are pleased to see animal health and welfare, the environment and climate change returning to the same portfolio as agriculture and food under the Minister for Natural Resources and Food’s remit.

"We will seek to meet the Minister as soon as possible to discuss the important issues to our industry including CAP Reform, the Working Smarter initiative, Bovine TB, alleviating food risk on agricultural land and tackling transparency in the food chain beyond the farm gate."