The Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF) is set to merge with elements of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) in a reshuffle initiative by the freshly re-elected Labour government. 

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


The new department, to be called the Ministry of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (MEFRA), will be led by Margaret Beckett. In addition to MAFF personnel, it will also employ around 600 of the civil servants currently working for the DETR. Former MAFF minister Nick Brown has been removed from the Cabinet and will now take on the role of Minister of Work.
 
Farmers are reportedly disappointed that the department will not use the word “Agriculture” in its title. According to the Daily Telegraph newspaper however they are pleased to know that the government appreciates the importance of “Food” to the country’s economy.

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact