New natural resources minister for Wales

A reshuffle of the Welsh government has seen the environment policy portfolio combined with agriculture, fisheries and food to create a single ministerial post responsible for natural resources

Wales’ first minister Carwyn Jones has reshuffled his cabinet, removing the ministerial post solely responsible for environment policy.

Alun Davies, who has been deputy minister for agriculture, fisheries and food policy since May 2011, has now been appointed to the new role of minister for natural resources and food. The post will have responsibility for policies related to climate change and flood prevention policy, as well as food production.

Davies will also oversee the establishment of the new single regulatory body, Natural Resources Wales, which is due to start operating next month.

Meanwhile, planning policy has been incorporated into a new portfolio named housing and regeneration under Carl Sargeant, who was previously minster for local government and communities.

And Huw Lewis, who was previously minister for housing, regeneration and heritage, has been given “overarching responsibility for sustainable development”, Jones confirmed, as the new minister for communities and tackling poverty.

Jones said that his realignment of policy portfolios was in response to the devolved government’s “shifting priorities”.