NFU president meets new DEFRA secretary on her first day in post

Mr Bradshaw said that the meeting covered a variety of issues, including the impact of the inheritance tax proposals on family farms, continued uncertainty over agri-environment schemes, and the cumulative impact of trade deals, including the recent US deal and the upcoming GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) deal.

The NFU president said: “Members will be pleased to hear that the secretary of state took time on her very first day in office to meet with the NFU and discuss the key issues facing food and farming.

“This is a challenging time for our sector. We face an increasingly volatile global situation – both due to war and a changing climate – and our nation’s food security could not be more important.”

‘More work is to be done’

Mr Bradshaw added that the sector urgently needs investment to enable farmers and growers to produce more food, do more for the environment and grow their businesses.

“Given the economic and social importance of our food and farming sector, I’m hopeful that Ms Reynolds’ economic background will help drive this investment forward.

“The meeting was positive, and we both agreed this was only the first step – more work is to be done. I look forward to working closely with her in the months ahead as we strive towards a better future for one of the nation’s most vital sectors – British food and farming.”

Following today's meeting with Defra SoS Emma Reynolds, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said he looked forward to working together on the important issues facing British agriculture.#BackBritishFarming pic.twitter.com/CoHQZX2bRR

— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) September 8, 2025

The latest cabinet reshuffle triggered by the resignation of deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has seen Keir Starmer remove farming minister Daniel Zeichner from his role, while Defra secretary Steve Reed has been made housing minister.

Emma Reynolds MP has become the new DEFRA secretary, while Dame Angela Eagle takes the helm as farming minister.

READ MORE: Farming leaders react to new DEFRA secretary and food security minister

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