Zac Goldsmith is leaving his position as Environment Minister with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Goldsmith today (Friday, September 16) published a letter that he sent to his colleagues on Wednesday (September 14) announcing his departure.
In the letter, he said he is “very sad” to be leaving after a “whirlwind” three years, and reflected on his achievements as minister, including in forestry, plastic pollution and the oceans.
He added that there is still “so much more to do to turn the tide here”, referring to the work of Defra.
“The UK is, after all, one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries,” he said.
“But if Defra continues to get the backing you need and deserve across government, you can and you will turn the tide.”
Goldsmith referred to his particular responsibility for animal welfare as minister.
“I was thrilled to be given responsibility for animal welfare when I was made a minister, and I will always be in awe of our animal welfare teams,” he said.
After touching on some of his achievements with the responsibility, he said there is “much more in the pipeline”, including ending the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening.
“Defra is seeing through the biggest shake up of animal welfare laws and standards in living memory,” he said.
He concluded the letter by saying his time at Defra was a “privilege and an inspiration”.
Goldsmith will continue his work at the Foreign Office as Minister of State for the Pacific and International Environment, a role that he has had since February 2020.
Zac Goldsmith
Goldsmith was first appointed as a Minister of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development and Defra on February 13, 2020.
He was previously Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and at the Department for International Development from September 10, 2019 to February 13, 2020.
