Prospective Conservative MP for the Wells Constituency, James Heappey, was the first to welcome the new cabinet minister for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs to Somerset on Sunday. Liz Truss replaced Owen Patterson in the Prime Minister’s recent reshuffle and is now responsible for overseeing the delivery of the Somerset flood action plan.
Mr Heappey took the Secretary of State for a tour of the Cheddar Valley to show her the lower River Axe before hosting a dinner at the New Inn at Cross to brief on the wider flooding issues in the area and local farmers' concerns over bovine tuberculosis and falling milk prices.
“I’m delighted that the Secretary of State asked me to show her around our part of Somerset and that she made so much time available so that I could fully brief her on the issues affecting local farmers” said James Heappey.
“Last winter’s floods were not just damaging for our agricultural industry but for tourism too. I emphasised to Liz that tackling flooding really does need to be a priority and that the solution is to harness the real expertise that exists within the Internal Drainage Boards and the farming community. The Somerset Rivers Board – or whatever it is to be called – must be dynamic and driven by local experience so that it is agile enough to manage our complex network of drains and rivers.”
James Heappey added “More generally, it’s been great to meet Liz and to be reassured that she completely understands the challenges faced by rural communities and the agricultural industry. She also represents a rural constituency and so is already fully up to speed on the issues faced by farmers. I’m confident she’ll be a good friend to Somerset and that we’ll get the support we need from her and her department.”