The secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, also referred to as the environment secretary, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, with overall responsibility for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The incumbent is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom. The office holder works alongside the other Defra ministers. The corresponding shadow minister is the shadow secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.

Responsibilities

The secretary of state has two main responsibilities at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to:

List of environment secretaries

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Secretaries of state for the environment (1970–1997)

! colspan=3 | Secretary of State ! colspan=2 | Term of office ! colspan=2 | Party ! Ministry

Secretaries of state for the environment, transport and the regions (1997–2001)

Secretaries of state for environment, food and rural affairs (2001–present)

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Timeline of environment secretaries