The new Secretary of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Steve Reed, has outlined his five core priorities.
In a video message shared from his department online Reed acknowledged that confidence amongst farmers is "lowest on record" and that he is focused on supporting farmers to "boost Britain's food security".
According to DEFRA statistics published this week, UK agriculture's total productivity fell 5.1% between 2022 and 2023.
He also said that it would take "years to reverse the damage that has been done", adding that the work of change "has now begun".
DEFRA's five priorities
Reed stated that his five core priorities as DEFRA Secretary included:
It remains to be seen if the development of a new programme will result in the recently departed Conservative Government's programme to implement the Resources and Waste Strategy will now be subject to significant review. As of today (9 July) the waste resources portfolio is yet to be assigned.
Reed added: "This comes at a time when we are facing a crisis point. We have record levels of sewage in our rivers, lakes and seas - nature is dying".
Reed concluded that the challenges the country faces are significant but that "together" change would happen.
Industry reaction
The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) had led calls for the government to establish an independent, statutory Food Security Committee: "Such a body could advise the UK and devolved governments on national and strategic food security by considering the wide-ranging issues that determine agricultural productivity. It is this productivity which fundamentally underpins the nation’s food security".
Jacob Hayler, Executive Director of the Environmental Services Association (ESA), expressed hope for the renewed policy drive: "With a large parliamentary majority, we hope that this brings stability, clarity and renewed drive to policy delivery for our sector, which will allow our members to invest billions in world-class new recycling infrastructure and services, decarbonise the treatment of the nation's rubbish, and help meet the environmental targets to which this new Government is bound".
The Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) called for prioritisation of key waste management reforms. LARAC Chair Cathy Cook said: "We look forward to collaborating with the new government to enhance the effectiveness of waste collection and recycling systems in the UK. It is imperative that we work together to achieve our collective environmental goals".
The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) welcomed the new Secretary of State and his colleagues, stating: "CIWM is committed to working across government to realise Labour's manifesto commitment to 'reduce waste by moving to a circular economy".
Sian Sutherland, Co-founder of A Plastic Planet & Plastic Health Council, called for action: "Now is the time for ambition and for the UK to lead. Piecemeal bans and tired models of recycling won't cut it... Clear and comprehensive policy that takes a long-term vision over short-term tokenism is the only vehicle to fight the impact of plastic on our bodies and planet".
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