Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael has been elected unopposed as Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, which scrutinises the Defra’s role in parliament.
“I am very pleased to take on the role of Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee,” said Carmichael.
The MP for Orkney and Shetland, who held the role of Scottish Secretary between 2013 and 2015 under David Cameron’s coalition government, succeeds Conservative MP Sir Robert Godwill.
“This Parliament will see the new Government make major decisions on the environment, farming, food security and rural communities that will affect us all.
“I will work collaboratively with Members from across the House of Commons to scrutinise and inform these important decisions.
“I will ensure that the Committee gives a voice to rural, coastal and island communities, and fully considers the interests of our fishers, farmers, food producers, processors and exporters, while holding corporate interests such as water companies to account.”