COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE

The Countryside Alliance has welcomed the appointment of Owen Paterson, MP for North Shropshire, to the role of Secretary of State for Defra. Countryside Alliance Executive Chairman Barney White-Spunner commented on the appointment: “This is a great appointment for the countryside. Owen Paterson has consistently shown as a rural MP and Shadow Minister for Fisheries and Food a real understanding of the issues facing the countryside, farming and rural people. He has actively campaigned to support and protect the Post Office network alongside our own Chairman, Kate Hoey MP. As well as this, Mr Paterson is a staunch supporter of all fieldsports and a keen rider. He was very active in the defence of hunting with hounds during the hunting debate. 

“We look forward to working closely with Mr Paterson and his team as he takes on the excellent work done by Caroline Spelman in her time as Secretary of State.”

We must also report that Defra Minister Jim Paice, who held the farming brief, has been replaced by Somerton & Frome Liberal Democrat David Heath. Jim, who it has been announced will be Knighted for his services, has ever been a great countryman and strong supporter within Parliament of the countryside and the people who live and work in it.