Caroline Spelman has been moved out of Defra in David Cameron’s first major Cabinet reshuffle as Prime Minister. She has been replaced by Owen Paterson, Conservative MP for North Shropshire, who was formerly Northern Ireland Secretary.

Between 2005 and 2006, Paterson was the Shadow Minister for Agriculture, during which time he wrote the Conservative Party Green Paper ‘Consultation on a National Policy on Fisheries Management in UK Waters’. He was also Shadow Secretary of State for Transport between 2006 and 2007 and, on his website, lists trees as one of his interests outside politics, as well as horses, racing and eventing.

Members of the waste industry have already expressed welcome to the new Environment Secretary, with the ESA noting: “With the waste and resources sector an £11 billion a year industry at the heart of sustainable economic growth, there is a real opportunity to be grasped by the new Defra Secretary of State who recognises that the waste and resources agenda should be at the centre of department’s thinking.”

Paterson will encounter friction from some green groups, though, as he has previously expressed support for shale gas projects, and airport expansion, as well as opposition to energy subsidies. Former Leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas, expressed immediate dismay at his appointment, tweeting: 'OMG New Env sec suggested ending all energy subsidies & fast-tracking shale gas back in May.'

Eric Pickles remains in his post at the Department of Communities and Local Government.