Ministerial role

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity

Contents

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include:

  • rural ambassador and rural affairs, covering rural life opportunities, broadband and mobile
  • biosecurity strategy, including endemic and exotic plant and animal disease, invasive alien species and Kew Gardens
  • animal health and welfare
  • commercial projects
  • landscape, including national parks
  • climate change adaptation
  • National Pollinator Strategy
  • all Defra parliamentary business in the House of Lords

Current role holder: Lord Gardiner of Kimble

Lord Gardiner was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity on 14 June 2017. Lord Gardiner served as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 17 July 2016 to June 2017. He is a Conservative member of the House of Lords.

Education

He was educated at Uppingham School and Royal Holloway, University of London, where he read modern history and politics.

Political career

He served as Lord in Waiting from September 2012 to May 2015, and as Government Deputy Chief Whip and Captain of the Queen’s Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard from May 2015 until July 2016.

Lord Gardiner was raised to the Peerage in 2010 and served as a party whip until being appointed to government. He served as Private Secretary to 5 successive Chairmen of the Conservative Party between 1989 and 1995.

Career outside politics

Lord Gardiner was Director of Political Affairs at the Countryside Alliance between 1995 and 2004 and Deputy Chief Executive between 2004 and 2010. He is also a partner in a family farm.

Personal life

Lord Gardiner is married to the sculptor Olivia Musgrave.

More about this person

Announcements

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  1. Asian hornet: Fowey nest destroyed as two new sightings confirmed in Liskeard and Hull

    • News story

  2. Asian hornet identified in Cornwall

    • News story

  3. Restrictions on oak imports introduced to guard against pests

    • News story

  4. Animal welfare enhanced by new code for laying hens and pullets

    • Press release

  5. Animal cruelty maximum sentences will be increased government confirms

    • News story

  6. 44 mile public path opens up North East coastline

    • Press release

  7. Poultry keepers urged to be vigilant of Newcastle Disease

    • Press release

  8. New accord launches to enhance National Parks and woodland

    • News story

  9. Hive of activity to raise awareness of Bees' Needs

    • Press release

  10. Compulsory microchipping to improve horse welfare

    • Press release
View all announcements