Theresa Villiers replaces Michael Gove at Defra

Former Norhern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers has replaced Michael Gove as Defra Secretary. 

Mrs Villiers, a former MEP and MP for Chipping Barnet, in London, since 2005, held the Northern Ireland role between 2012 and 2016. She campaigned strongly for Brexit in 2016.

She has campaigned on a number of animal welfare issues, including supporting CIWF’s campaign to ‘end the cage’ and calls to end live exports. She is a supporter of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation.

Mrs Villiers enters Mr Johnson’s Cabinet as part of the biggest Ministerial shake-up ever during a Government term that saw Mr Gove moved take up the role of Cabinet Secretary, with a formal title of 'Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and no-deal Brexit planning'. 

Former Defra Secretary Liz Truss takes up the important role of International Trade Secretary.