The new Defra secretary Theresa Villiers has said the UK needs to “get on” with Brexit and leave with or without a deal on 31 October.
Giving her first speech since taking the post from Michael Gove, at the Countryfile Live event on 1 August, the pro-Brexit Villiers conceded that Brexit had created divisions but said “the time for delay and division is over” – this despite the fact that economic experts, the NFU and agricultural organisations across the country have repeatedly warned that no-deal could be disastrous for British food and farming.
The MP for Chipping Barnet sought to reassure the farming industry that the government is “giving the very closest attention to the interests of food and farming businesses as we work towards exit day.”
“Undoubtedly there are some risks ahead but I want to highlight that these sectors, along with our fishing communities, will also have many opportunities open up to them as we regain the freedom to make our own laws, as we push forward with an independent trade policy, and as we create new world-leading systems to replace the CAP and CFP,” she said.
“I want to see our farmers released from the appalling complexity, rigidity and bureaucracy of the Common Agricultural Policy.”
Reiterating promises made by her predecessor, she said the new approach would be based on the principle of public money for public goods, and would reward farmers for environmental stewardship and improving the health and welfare of animals, as well as focusing on opening up new export markets.
Villiers also expressed confidence that theEnvironment Bill will create a watchdog with the power and independence to effectively hold government to account so environmental standards, laws and commitments are upheld.
Finally, Villiers said she had received a letter from Emma Howard Boyd of the Environment Agency and Tony Juniper of Natural England, asking the government to lead the world in switching to a new greener, more sustainable economy.
They wrote: “If we invest in nature and climate, we know it will increase long-term stability for health, security and prosperity.
“This is the new reality and present imperative… not an optional ‘green choice’ that we can only afford in good times.”
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