NFU president Minette Batters has congratulated the new Defra Secretary of State George Eustice on his appointment and said she looks forward to working with him to help pave the way for a thriving food and farming sector post-Brexit.

Mrs Batters said that the Secretary of State’s support will be crucial as British farming faces new opportunities and challenges in life outside the EU and will play a key part in ensuring Britain’s food values are not compromised in future trade deals.

She said: “British farming is among the best in the world at producing safe, traceable and nutritious food and I look forward to working with the new Secretary of State to position British food and farming as a global leader in sustainable, high quality climate-friendly food.

“George Eustice is well respected within the farming community for his knowledge and understanding of farming but also his hard work as a Minister in Defra over the past six years. I hope to welcome him on to my farm very soon to further discuss British farming’s potential as we start a life outside of the EU.”