New head of environment must act now!

Many environmental campaigners were hoping Rishi Sunak would choose someone with recent senior experience in the department. However Ms Coffey has previously spent three years in environment as Under Secretary of State, from 2016-2019. She was working with Michael Gove who made some very positive statements about environmental protection. 

With a PhD in chemistry, she is well equipped to understand the scientific arguments for improving the health and biodiversity of our environment.

Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow and the chair of the environmental audit committee, told the Guardian that she is an “excellent appointment” due to her experience and the fact she holds a rural seat, Suffolk Coastal.

For now, we’re waiting to find out the line she will steer… Will she choose the “war on nature”, ( the recent proposed scrapping of many environmental regulations). Or promote much-needed action to restore and protect our environment. There is a desperate call both from farming and environmental voices to get the Environmental Land Management Scheme back on track – and fast.