Sir: I wanted to take this opportunity to express publicly my support for Michael Gove in his appointment as secretary of state for environment, food & rural affairs.
Since its creation in 2001, Michael is the eighth holder of this office. Historically it has been seen as a poor relation in the Cabinet and as such has never had the quality of minister the role required.
Many of the previous holders have been either focused on a specific personal agenda or have been just too lightweight to have any impact both on the sector and on their colleagues at Westminster. I would like to believe the PM has over the past year realised the role is much more complex and challenging in the light of Brexit, and the need to create a new farm support mechanism that mitigates market volatility.
Michael would appear to bring the necessary gravitas, intellectual capability and experience that the role need.
His track record in holding previous Cabinet posts would bear testament to this. He is an excellent communicator and will, as such, potentially be a great ambassador for the sector, representing us internally at Westminster and on the world stage.
All of us in the agri supply chain share common objectives of delivering the most cost-effective production of food, recognising the need to protect animal welfare, the environment and those working in the sector.
We hope decisions will be science based and Michael is exactly the sort of minister who relies on that approach. Of course, the proof will be in the development and implementation of policy and thus we will have to wait and see if he delivers.
However, we have a better chance now than ever before and we will all be doing what we can to help make him a success in the role.
Paul N Wilkinson
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