The secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, also referred to as the environment secretary, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, with overall responsibility for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The department's responsibilities are largely limited to England only as they relate to devolved policies. The incumbent is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom.
The office holder works alongside the other Defra ministers. The corresponding shadow minister is the shadow secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.
Contents
Responsibilities
The secretary of state has two main responsibilities at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to:
bear overall responsibility for all departmental issues.
lobby for the United Kingdom in other international negotiations on sustainable development and climate change.