Ministerial role

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for farming, food and marine environment

Responsibilities

The minister is responsible for farming and food, marine and fisheries, and animal health, in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Responsibilities include:

Farming and food

  • Common Agricultural Policy
  • Single Payments Scheme and the Rural Payments Agency
  • Food policy, trade and exports
  • Better regulation
  • Climate change mitigation in the agriculture sector
  • Gangmasters’ licensing and agricultural workers
  • Rural Development Programme for England
  • Deputising for the Secretary of State at EU Agriculture Council

Marine and fisheries

  • Fisheries, including Common Fisheries Policy
  • Marine environment (including Marine and Coastal Access Act implementation and Marine Management Organisation)
  • Deputising for the Secretary of State at EU Fisheries Council

Animal health

  • Management of endemic and exotic diseases (including bovine TB)
  • Animal Health and Welfare Board for England
  • Welfare of farm animals
  • Animal Health & Veterinary Laboratories Agency
  • Veterinary Medicines Directorate

Commons handling of Lords portfolio

  • Biodiversity (domestic and international, including international forestry)
  • Land management and soil (including commons and contaminated land)
  • National parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty
  • Ecosystem services
  • Joint Nature Conservation Committee
  • Wildlife management
  • Welfare of companion and wild animals (including circuses, dangerous dogs and zoos)

Previous holders of this role

  1. The Rt Hon George Eustice

    2013 to 2015