DEFRA plans to build stronger relationships with its partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Clare Moriarty – who has now spent just over two months as Defra permanent secretary – said it was a good point at which to take stock.

"My main impression is of a department full of people who are passionate about their work, with a deep commitment to public service," she said.

"But I am also continually reminded of the extraordinarily diverse array of stakeholders that the department works with and for."

Stakeholders included civil society, rural communities, a wide range of businesses, trade bodies, landowners, vets, scientific institutions, and research bodies, said Ms Moriarty.

"I have a lot to learn about Defra's activities and its stakeholders. I learn best by talking to people and seeing things, so you'll see me getting out and about quite frequently.

"I have made a start – but realise I have only scratched the surface so far.

Defra's work had a massive impact on the food and farming industries, on rural livelihoods, on the environment, and on the daily lives of all the people in the country, said Ms Moriarty.

She added: "To deliver our strategic objectives, I want to build ever stronger relationships with our partners across the public, private, and voluntary sectors.

"As Defra's stakeholders you are at the heart of what we are trying to achieve.

"The next few years are going to involve transformational change, which may feel uncomfortable at times. But it is how we will improve, and that's something I am absolutely committed to.

"My watchwords are respect and challenge: respect for the deep expertise and experience that people have, embedded within a constant process of challenging ourselves to do things better."