Defra Secretary said to be out of touch with farmers

In the three months he has been in office — from 5 July and 15 October — Environment Secretary Steve Reed made only a single visit to a farm in his official capacity, a Freedom of Information request reveals. 

Mr Reed is one of the cabinet ministers leading the arguments that Labour’s inheritance tax raid on farmers is justified, but he is being painted by his political opponents as being out of touch with farmers. The Tories have labelled him “City Steve” because of his south London seat of Streatham and Croydon North. 

Mr Reed’s sole visit was to an Essex farm where animals had been tested for bluetongue. He was criticised for wearing a pair of £420 Le Chameau wellies, said to have been gifted to him by Lord Waheed Alli. 

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs for the Countryside Alliance, said: “This is disappointing. Listening first-hand to the custodians of our countryside and the people who feed us is vital. It can’t just be an excuse for a photo-op either. 

“Given the growing anger and hurt towards the family farm tax, consulting with farmers before the Budget may have helped Defra and the Treasury understand the impact the policy would have and avoided the backlash we are witnessing now.”