In the latest cabinet reshuffle, George Eustice MP has been named as the new environment secretary.
He replaces the outgoing Theresa Villiers as the head of DEFRA.
BASC says the appointment of George Eustice MP signals the arrival of a ‘real countryman’ at the heart of government.
Mr Eustice held the farming and fisheries brief at DEFRA from 2015 to 2019 and comes from a farming background. His family still run a fruit farm, restaurant and farm shop in Cornwall.
Christopher Graffius, BASC’s executive director of communications and public affairs, said: “George Eustice is a farmer with a sound knowledge of the environment and rural affairs.
“His appointment means that we have a real countryman at the helm and this can only be of benefit to conservation, shooting and rural affairs.
“BASC will be contacting Mr Eustice immediately to set up a meeting with him to discuss issues like general licences that are causing real concern to the shooting and rural community.
“We hope we can work closely with the new environment secretary to ensure his department’s support of sustainable shooting and recognition of the vital contribution that shooting makes to conservation, the economy and wider environment.”
Tim Bonner, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance said: “ We are pleased to see George Eustice appointed to the role of Secretary of State for DEFRA.
“We have worked with George on a wide range of issues from animal welfare and agriculture to championing rural communities through the Countryside Alliance awards.
“We look forward to working with him on addressing the various and complex issues facing the countryside at this incredibly important time for our country and wish him every success”
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