Dr Neil Hudson MP sat on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee as it quizzed the Environment Secretary for the first time since his appointment to the role, on the entire brief of his department.
The Environment Secretary, Steve Barclay was joined by DEFRA Permanent Secretary Tamara Finkelstein who has held the top Civil Service position since 2019.
For Dr Hudson's part, he focused on biosecurity, flooding and public and animal health. As well as leveraging his professional expertise by delving into a wide range of issues such as updating the governing legislation, meeting workforce demands and assuaging mental health issue concerns.
Reflecting on the session, Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
"This was an excellent session for our Committee scrutinising DEFRA. I have a huge amount of respect for the Environment Secretary and DEFRA's Permanent Secretary. Mr Barclay has shown great attention to detail across his vast brief, listening to experts and balancing policy with Government's overarching holistic vision for the nation.
"For my part in scrutinising and advising the Secretary of State, I was keen to look at the mental health issues surrounding frequently flooded communities both in urban and rural areas.
In addition I wanted to shine a light on the UK's biosecurity. With huge potential to impact food security, public health and environmental protection - we now have the chance to grasp a Brexit dividend and tighten our borders to threats from animal and plant diseases.
"And with the threat of Bluetongue virus, African Swine Fever and Brucella canis we must remain alert to the issue - not to mention avian influenza, about which we must remain vigilant.
"We need to invest in the future of the Animal and Plant Health Agency's HQ in Weybridge. This is our frontline defence against these diseases, and I thank the DEFRA Secretary of State and Permanent Secretary for accepting my concerns and focusing efforts on the redevelopment."
