Benn takes over at Defra

A LEADING countryside organisation has welcomed yesterday's announcement that Yorkshire MP, Hilary Benn, has been appointed as the new Environment Secretary with responsibility for farming and rural affairs.

"Land managers play a crucial role in reducing climate change and we hope that the new Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn, will do as much as his predecessor David Miliband to promote this message across Government," said CLA president, David Fursdon, speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Country Land and Business Association in Yorkshire.

"Mr Benn's other priority must be to continue Mr Miliband's work in sorting out the mess at the Rural Payments Agency.

"His experience of food and trade during his role as International Development Secretary should provide a useful perspective to the food chain debate. Hilary Benn was present at the launch of the CLA's Just Ask campaign at Number 10 Downing Street at the beginning of this year and we are keen to discuss the food chain with him.

"The CLA is sad to see David Miliband move on from his role as Environment Secretary. He raised the profile of the department across Government and we hope the new Secretary of State will build on this.

Yorkshire regional director, Dorothy Fairburn added: "I am particularly pleased that a Yorkshire MP is taking this crucial post given the importance of agriculture and the rural economy to our region."

May 2003 - appointed as Minister of State for International Development and in October that year was made Secretary of State for International Development. In May 2005 he was re-elected as Member of Parliament for Leeds Central and re-appointed as Secretary of State for International Development.

He served for 20 years on Ealing Borough Council, becoming the youngest ever Chair of the Education Committee and Deputy Leader of the Council.

Born in 1953, he attended Holland Park Comprehensive School and received a degree from the University of Sussex in 1974.

Mr Benn replaces David Miliband who now joins the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as Foreign Secretary.