‘I’m on a learning curve’ says Labour shadow Defra secretary

Recently appointed Labour shadow Defra secretary Steve Reed, who represents the London constituency of North Croydon, has admitted he is “on a learning curve” in his new job.

Speaking exclusively to the Farmers Weekly podcast, he said he needed to have “humility” and “respect for farmers’ experiences”, adding that he would be in listening mode, “at least in these early days”.

Before accepting the shadow Defra top job, Mr Reed had shown very little interest in agriculture.

See also: Who is Steve Reed, Labour’s new shadow Defra secretary?

“I recognise I’m on a learning curve right now and I want to hear from farmers about the issues that affect farming generally, but also the specific areas of farming and food production they’re involved in,” he said.

Mr Reed, who attended the NFU’s Back British Farming Day event in parliament on Wednesday (13 September), has already received at least a dozen invitations to visit farms across the country.

“There’s such a variety of farming, growers and producers and I want to make sure I get round as many of them as I can,” he said.

He also vowed to be a “voice for farmers” if the Labour Party wins power at the next election, saying he would include them in any negotiations on the UK’s trading relationships.

His comments follow an earlier pledge from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to sign a veterinary agreement with the EU that would ease post-Brexit trade friction.

“What we need to do is sit down and renegotiate with the EU a better deal, perhaps with more forms of alignment, where that is appropriate, but a deal that lowers the barriers and gets us trading again,” he said.

The full interview will be available to listen to on the next Farmers Weekly podcast.