In a significant cabinet restructure, Sir Keir Starmer's new government has appointed Daniel Zeichner as the new farming minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The MP for Cambridge has been a prominent figure in Labour's environmental and agricultural policies, serving as Shadow Minister since January 2020 and prior to that as Shadow Transport Minister.

Labour describes Mr. Zeichner as ‘a life-long environmentalist, with an enduring interest in agriculture and food issues.’

A committed pro-European, Zeichner campaigned vigorously to keep the United Kingdom within the European Union during the 2016 referendum, reflecting his broader commitment to international cooperation.

Joining him at Defra is Steve Reed, who has been appointed the new Secretary of State for the department. Together, they are expected to drive forward Labour’s ambitious plans for environmental stewardship, sustainable farming and food security.