Former farming minister has replaced Emma Reynolds as Defra secretary of state under new PM Andy Burnham’s first cabinet reshuffle
Dame Angela Eagle has been named as new Defra secretary of state in the first cabinet reshuffle by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
It comes just weeks after Eagle left her role as farming minister for a move to the Home Office in an unexpected decision at the end of June.
She replaces Emma Reynolds, who had been in position since September, to become the eleventh secretary of state in Defra in the past 11 years.
It comes at a period of low confidence in the horticulture and fresh produce sectors, with businesses facing high costs of production and a challenging import environment due to geopolitical conflict, uncertainty around the incoming new SPS agreement, challenging access to seasonal labour and a lack of financial support.
Eagle will be tasked with delivering the Horticulture Sector Growth Plan, which she had been helping to shape in her previous role as deputy chair of the Food and Farming Partnership Board.
The fresh produce industry will also be waiting for positive re-engagement after a recent last minute no-show for a planned keynote address at FPJ’s Festival of Fresh.
