THE work of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) was recognised in the New Year Honours List with 48 people receiving awards across the full remit of the department’s responsibility.
Margaret Beckett MP was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for public and political service including her former role as secretary of state for Defra from 2001-2006. Martin Coulson Spray, chief executive of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, was appointed a CBE for his services to nature conservation.
