I am the right man for the job, says MP Owen Paterson
North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson says his new Government role as Environment Secretary brings to an end a spell of 'clueless' urban politicians representing countryside interests.
Mr Paterson, who began his Parliamentary career as shadow environment minister, said he felt he was finishing the job he began then in his new role as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
"I am not coming into this blind," he said in an interview with the Farmers' Guardian.
"When I was in opposition, we always had very well-meaning, well intentioned ministers at Defra who were completely urban and completely clueless. That's not going to happen with me. And I eat meat."
Mr Paterson, who has represented North Shropshire since 1997, stressed his rural connections in the interview, frequently referring to himself as a 'country man'.
Mr Paterson also spoke about his hopes for a code of practice between dairy producer and supplier, and his aim to create new markets for British desserts.
At present the country imports more desserts than it produces.
But Mr Paterson is likely to run into problems with the farming industry over his views on phasing out European subsidies and instead targeting support at environmental works provided by farmers.
He has also been labelled a sceptic on climate change after opposing windfarm applications in north Shropshire. But he said the windfarm were 'incredibly unpopular and we proved they were not going to be viable'.
Mr Paterson said: "It is perfectly obvious climate change is there, and there is a human contribution, but I want to be sure the measures we are taking to ameliorate the problem don't create other problems."
