The UK government has appointed a new minister to the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to oversee the protection of food supplies through the Brexit process, amid rising fears of a ‘No Deal’ scenario. David Rutley has previously held senior executive roles at both Asda and Pepsico and will now be leading DEFRA’s food and drink industrial strategy.

He said “It is an honour to join the DEFRA Ministerial team at such an important time. I am determined to ensure that we fully realise the opportunities of leaving the EU, building on the hard work and excellent efforts of my new colleagues, so we can fulfil our pledge to leave our environment in a better state than we found it and deliver a truly Green Brexit.

“I am very keen to support our food and drink sector across the whole supply chain from farm to fork. Working closely with Farming Minister George Eustice, I look forward to championing the very best British food and drink and helping the industry to lead the world and boost exports further.”

DEFRA has announced that Rutley will lead sector council meetings and sector deals, focusing on innovation and productivity in the food and drink sector. He will also promote and support the growth of British food and drink exports, and will look to cover domestic policy, and regulation and legislation for food and drink. It was also announced that Minister George Eustice will lead on agricultural dimensions of the industrial strategy, and will lead international agreements. George Eustice will also continue to be responsible for farming productivity and innovation, support to farming businesses, and farming markets, sectors and standards.

Last month food and farming leaders slammed the possibility of a Brexit No-Deal but said they welcomed advice from government in the form of the technical notices it had issued.

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