Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Natural Environment and Fisheries

Richard Benyon MP was appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State on 14 May 2010.

Portfolio

• Apprenticeships
• Biodiversity
• Coastal and wider access, countryside and rights of way
• Coastal erosion
• Departmental administration
• Ecosystem services
• EU Fisheries Council
• Fisheries, including CFP
• Flooding and water (including Nitrates)
• Inland waterways (including British Waterways)
• International forestry policy
• JNCC
• Land management (including commons and contaminated land) and soil
• Marine and Coastal Access Act implementation
• Marine Environment
• Marine Management Organisation
• National parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty
• Natural environment
• Pesticides
• Rural Affairs
• Wildlife

Biography

Richard Benyon has been MP for Newbury since May 2005. Before coming to government Mr Benyon served as a Shadow Minister for the Environment, Fisheries and Wildlife. Prior to this appointment he was a Party Whip.  He has also served on the Home Affairs Select Committee.

Mr Benyon lives in West Berkshire where he is a farmer. He is a former soldier and is a founder Trustee of the charity Help for Heroes. Mr Benyon is married to Zoe, with whom he has two sons. He also has three sons from his previous marriage.