Dorset MPs have welcomed the appointment of George Eustice as the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Following a cabinet reshuffle last week, the Prime Minister removed Theresa Villiers from the top job at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and replaced her with Mr Eustice.

West Dorset MP Chris Loder expressed his approval of the new appointment.

He said: "I’m very pleased that George is the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. He is a dedicated and experienced minister with a strong family farming background.

"I have written to George to send him my best wishes on behalf of West Dorset and look forward to meeting him after the parliamentary recess."

South Dorset MP Richard Drax agreed. He said: "I am pleased with George Eustice’s promotion as he is one of the longest standing ministers in Defra and a farmer himself. It is vital that we have someone in post who understands the countryside and farmers’ concerns and aspirations."

Mr Eustice, who has represented the Cornish constituency of Camborne and Redruth since 2010, previously held the Defra offices of Minister of State and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Rural and agricultural organisations have also reacted positively to the appointment of Mr Eustice.

NFU President Minette Batters said: "British farming is among the best in the world at producing safe, traceable and nutritious food and I look forward to working with the new Secretary of State to position British food and farming as a global leader in sustainable, high quality climate-friendly food.

"George Eustice is well respected within the farming community for his knowledge and understanding of farming but also his hard work as a Minister in Defra over the past six years. I hope to welcome him on to my farm very soon to further discuss British farming’s potential as we start a life outside of the EU."

CLA President Mark Bridgeman said: "We warmly welcome Mr Eustice to his role at this pivotal time for British agriculture. As a long-standing Farming Minister, he will know the scale of the challenge ahead.

"We will work closely with him to help achieve the full potential of the rural economy."