George Eustice visited the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) in Cirencester today.

The Environment Secretary was there to launch the UK Agriculture Partnership (UKAP).

The partnership is designed to bring together stakeholders from across the UK to improve collaborative working on issues facing the agricultural sector.

Mr Eustice was welcomed to the RAU’s campus by Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter McCaffery before addressing delegates at the first meeting of the UKAP, which focused on water quality, in the University’s Boutflour Hall.

Also present were researchers, water body representatives, farming organisations, NGOs, as well as the Northern Ireland Executive Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Edwin Poots.

Future discussions will explore topics such as on-farm water usage optimisation, the role of science and agri-tech in supporting food production, and solutions to reduce pollution and carbon emissions.

George Eustice said: "I am launching the UK Agriculture Partnership to share UK-wide best practice, ideas and innovation – and to tackle some of the common challenges we face, from enriching our soils and reducing the environmental impacts of agriculture, to how best use technology and science to boost our food production ambitions.

"We are bringing together farmers, farming unions, environmental groups, agricultural colleges and associations so that we can tackle practical challenges together."