In a statement made this morning, Margaret Beckett announced details of the portfolios of all the ministers in the new DEFRA team following last week's reshuffle.
 Environment minister Elliot Morley |
Mrs Beckett said: “DEFRA’s single aim is Sustainable Development, and once again all DEFRA ministers have a responsibility to drive forward sustainability across Government and to the country. Much has been done, but we still have a lot to do. We have a very strong team of ministers to take forward the achievements of DEFRA’s first two years.”
Heading up the Department, Mrs Beckett will have overall responsibility for all issues dealt with by DEFRA, and will represent the UK at the EU Environment Council as well as leading UK negotiation teams at international discussions on sustainable development and climate change.
Morley
Scunthorpe MP Elliot Morley will retain the same title that Michael Meacher relinquished last week – Minister of State (Environment). His full responsibilities will be:
- Climate change
- Global and Marine Biodiversity
- Genetically Modified Organisms
- Policy on agri-environment
- Waste (including incineration issues)
- Radioactive Substances
- Chair of Green Ministers
- Environment Agency
- Water
- Floods and Coastal Defence
- Lead responsibility for Business Continuity and Resilience
- Horizontal Environmental Issues
Cardiff MP Alun Michael remains Minister for Rural Affairs and Local Environmental Quality, with a portfolio including local environmental quality issues, planning issues, environmental liability and regional and local government issues.
Register for free to comment