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George Eustice re-appointed as Defra minister
George Eustice has been re-appointed as minister of state for agriculture, fisheries and food.

Cornwall MP responsible for food farming 

George Eustice MP has been re-appointed to his role as minister of state at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The MP for Camborne and Redruth received 23,001 votes in last week’s general election, meaning that his majority was reduced from more than 7,000 to just over 1,500. He has been a Defra minister since May 2013.

In the build up to the EU referendum, Mr Eustice lobbied to leave the EU, promising that the UK government “will continue to give farmers and the environment as much support – or perhaps even more – as they get now.”

He also vowed to promote improved wildlife habitats and higher animal welfare standards.

“In the scheme of things, the amount of money spent on our countryside and wildlife is very modest when compared with spending on other departments. But we could spend our money more effectively if we had control,” he said. 

Mr Eustice will serve under Michael Gove in Theresa May’s new government. Outside of politics, he comes from a farming background and his family run a fruit farm, restaurant and farm shop in Cornwall.

As minister of state for agriculture, fisheries and food, his responsibilities will include:

  • food and farming, including CAP (Common Agricultural Policy), apprenticeships, exports, and bovine TB (tuberculosis) policy

  • fisheries
  • better regulation
  • science and innovation

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.