Dan Rogerson confirmed as waste, water and forestry minister

Published on October 18, 2013 14:57 by Veronika Vasilev in Business

Liberal Democrat MP Dan Rogerson has been appointed minister for waste, water and forestry, in a move that is likely to bolster his party's influence over green issues at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Defra today confirmed it has now completed a review of ministerial roles, following a parliamentary reshuffle last week that saw Rogerson and Conservative MP George Eustice join the team, as Richard Benyon stepped down and David Heath was sacked.

Rogerson will take over the resource and environmental management brief from Lord de Mauley, who has held the role since this time last year. As expected, he will also be in charge of water policy, as well as rural affairs and forestry.

In his new role, Rogerson will be expected to lead on a wide range of issues including climate change adaptation, managing the environmental impacts of biofuels, air quality, delivering the Water Bill, flooding and flood insurance.

As minister for rural affairs, he is also likely to have responsibility for a controversial report being prepared by Defra and DECC that examines the impact of wind farms on house prices.