NEW Defra Secretary Thérèse Coffey has been urged to "work quickly" to improve the Government's flagship Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS) following her appointment to the role this week in Rishi Sunak's Cabinet reshuffle.

Ms Coffey, one of the closest friends in Westminster of Prime Minister Mr Sunak's predecessor Liz Truss, replaced Ranil Jayawardena, who resigned after just 45 days in office.

She is no stranger to Defra, having worked as Minister for Environment and Rural Opportunity between July 2016 and September 2019, and most recently was Health Secretary in Ms Truss's Government.

Welcoming Ms Coffey to her new role, Country Land and Business Association president Mark Tufnell said: “Her in-tray is already full. The ELM schemes set out an ambitious and welcome direction. However many farmers are yet to be convinced the schemes are right for their business, not helped by very poor communication from ministers about their intentions for the schemes through the recent political chaos.

“We call on Dr Coffey to work quickly to improve the schemes – not least by fast-tracking key elements of SFI standards and announcing measures for 2023 and beyond. This will give farmers the confidence they desperately need that ELM can help them feed the nation as well as help to improve the natural environment.

“The previous Government created a new role of Minister of Rural Economic Growth. It was an important move that recognised the enormous economic potential of rural businesses. It is vital that this role is maintained, giving Government a laser-like focus on removing the many barriers to starting and growing a business in rural communities.”

The NFU said it has reached out to both Mr Sunak and Ms Coffey to "highlight the clarity and certainty that farmers need now more than ever during these turbulent times".

President Minette Batters said: “I am looking forward to working with Rishi Sunak on his plans to maintain and grow the nation’s food production and to ensure British farming continues to deliver for the environment, economy and food security.”

Regarding the new Defra Secretary, Ms Batters added: “This is a crucial time for the country and I look forward to discussing some of the solutions British farming can bring to the table when it comes to growing our economy by producing more climate-friendly food for markets at home and overseas. British food and farming is currently worth more than £100bn to the nation’s economy and has the potential to deliver so much more, in particular in our fight against climate change.

“We are at a pivotal time for agriculture policy. I look forward to working with the new Secretary of State to provide urgent clarity for farmers and growers on the new Environmental Land Management schemes to ensure they can deliver a thriving food and farming sector, alongside and equal to continued environmental protection and enhancement.”

Richmond MP Mr Sunak took the opportunity to back British farming during his first Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday. Responding to a question welcoming the renewed sales of Welsh lamb to the US market from fellow Conservative MP Simon Baynes, who represents Clwyd South, Mr Sunak said: "I can tell him that that market is worth, I think, something like almost £40m over the first few years – an enormous boost for our land farmers. I would just encourage the 300 million US consumers to give Yorkshire Swaledale lamb a look-in as well, but if my honourable friend and I disagree on that, I know that we are united on the fact that we will unequivocally back British farming and British farmers."