Reshuffle - What's the Fallout for UK Farming?
08 February 2012
UK - A dramatic announcement by the Crown Prosecution Service on Friday led to a ministerial reshuffle that could have important implications for farming.
The CPS confirmed that it would be pressing charges against Chris Huhne MP, the Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. Mr Huhne, who is responsible for renewable energy policy as well as driving forward the government’s 'green agenda', denied the allegations but has nevertheless quit his post in order to focus on his defence.
Under the coalition agreement, the two coalition parties have fixed ministerial portfolios, meaning it was effectively Nick Clegg’s decision as to who to appoint to replace Mr Huhne. Step forward Ed Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton, and until now a junior minister with responsibility for consumer affairs in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
He will now take a seat at the cabinet table. Lib Dem party activists, as well as some environmental campaigners, will hope he fills Huhne’s shoes in sticking to the coalition’s claim to being the “greenest government ever”. In particular, Chris Huhne was praised for standing up to what some have seen as a Conservative-led pro-industry approach which runs contrary to many environmental protection policies.
It remains to be seen whether Mr Davey will be as combative as Mr Huhne was said to have been in Cabinet, a trait which did not necessarily endear him to his Conservative colleagues.
Ed Davey himself will be replaced at the Business Department by Norman Lamb, MP for North Norfolk. Mr Lamb will have responsibility, among other things, for establishing the Groceries Code Adjudicator, a key element in the NFU’s work in ensuring fairer market returns for primary producers.
It is hoped that a Bill setting up the Adjudicator will be included in the Queen’s Speech in May, if not introduced before then, and the NFU will work closely with Mr Lamb in ensuring the body has the right powers to allow it do its job effectively. Mr Lamb is well known by his local NFU, and has a good understanding of the key issues and challenges facing the farming sector today.
TheCropSite News Desk
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