Politics

New Prime Minister Liz Truss has appointed Ranil Jayawardena Defra Secretary. But who is he? Abi Kay explores.

Farming Minister Victoria Prentis moves to the Department of Work and Pensions

Farmers across the UK are being urged to consider the implications of allocating land for tree planting, after a US report showed carbon offsetting has a number of potential risks.

Former Defra Secretary Liz Truss has won the Conservative leadership election with 81,326 votes, making her the new Prime Minister.

The Government has pledged more than £100m to help level up rural communities and businesses, it has been announced.

Planting more trees and woodlands is a key part of the Government’s plan to level up the rural economy and deliver for nature, people and jobs, according to Defra.

Most native broadleaf trees respond to cutting by sending up dozens of new shoots the following year – a natural process which seems to have been overlooked by Government Ministers, policy-makers and non-governmental organisations with their futures invested in planting trees, says land economist Richard Edwards.

Farm groups have blasted campaigners who have launched a legal challenge against the Government, claiming it has failed to act quickly enough to cut emissions from livestock and dairy.

Scottish correspondent Ewan Pate explains why, despite endless consultation with farmers, many fear future policy in Holyrood will be centred upon cutting livestock numbers.

The future of farming and food security must be ‘at the forefront’ of the agenda for any newly-established Defra team after the Conservative leadership election, the National Sheep Association (NSA) has said.