Full time minister for farmer essential

In response to the dual role of Baroness Ashton as newly appointed Minister for Sustainable Farming and Food and as a Constitutional Affairs Minister responsible for the compensation culture, Roger Williams MP, Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs spokesman has today tabled a Parliamentary motion calling for a full-time Minister for farming.

Commenting, Mr Williams said:

"This country needs a full-time Minister for farming.

"Baroness Ashton already has her work cut out ensuring the 60,000 claimants still due single farm payments are paid in full.

"She will also have to deal with crucial and imminent negotiations over the Common Agricultural Policy and WTO food policies.

"Yet already the signs are ominous as Ashton has dropped out of the scheduled water debate.

"Let's hope this dual role is simply an unintended consequence of another botched reshuffle and that Baroness Ashton is relieved of her Constitutional duties immediately."