Farming Minister is Veggie
Old news to some but for others who don’t follow the ins and outs of Gordon Brown’s cabinet, just a quick news flash to show that the new Minister responsible for farming is a committed vegetarian of 35 years standing. How Hilary Benn (yes, Tony Benn’s son) can then bring himself to aid livestock farmers in any way is a question for his conscience.
Ministers for the countryside have been organic before - John Gummer gardened without sprays - but never vegetarian, as is Hilary Benn.
‘We will judge Mr Benn on the job he does, rather than what he has said in the past’ The arrival of the bean-eating Mr Benn in charge of livestock - as part of his brief as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - has caused sharp intakes of breath in the farming world.
Mr Benn, who eats neither meat nor fish, has been a vegetarian for the past 35 years, even converting his father, Tony, to the cause.
He issued as statement yesterday saying: “I am sure the farming community will judge me on what I do. I will wholeheartedly support beef, pork and chicken farmers and the meat industry and I very much look forward to meeting their representatives soon.”
