Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Sanctaria)
| Secretary of State for Agriculture and Rural Affairs | |
|---|---|
 Sanctarian Coat of Arms | |
| Style |
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| Member of |
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| Reports to | Prime Minister of Sanctaria |
| Nominator | Prime Minister |
| Appointer | President of Sanctaria on the advice of the Prime Minister, and the consent of the Senate |
| Term length | At the Prime Minister's Pleasure No fixed term |
| Formation | 19 November 1974 |
| First holder | Christian Carter MP |
| Salary | S£280,000 |
| Website | agri.gov.sct |
The Secretary of State for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, also known as the Secretary for Agriculture or the Agriculture Secretary, is the head of the Sanctarian Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, which is responsible for agriculture, fisheries, food production and standards, as well as rural communities in Sanctaria. The current Secretary for Agriculture is Gerald Rivera, who was appointed to the post on 01 February 2018.
The Department itself, and as such the title of the Secretary leading it, has changed names numerous times since its creation. Most typically the Secretary has been referred to as the Agriculture Secretary, regardless of what extra portfolios or responsibilities different governments have added to the department.
Overview
The Secretary for Agriculture is a senior advisor to the Prime Minister on matters relating to agriculture, food, the marine, and rural affairs in Sanctaria. The Secretary is responsible for matters such as agricultural support services, food standards and production, supporting rural communities, and regulating animal welfare.
The position was originally formed in 1974 as the Department of Agriculture. Successive governments have added briefs such as energy, the environment, climate change, and rural life to the department since then, however as of 2018, only rural affairs remains attached to the department alongside its original mandate of agriculture.
Duties
Duties of the Agriculture Secretary include, but are not limited to:
- Development and implementation of national schemes in support of agriculture, food, fisheries, and rural development.
- Monitoring and controlling animal health and welfare, and food safety.
- Provision of support services, such as seasonal subsidies, to the agriculture, food, and fisheries industries.
- Protection of rural communities and rural community services.