Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss has become the youngest member of Cabinet at 38 after being appointed Environment Secretary to replace Owen Paterson.

Mr Paterson, who ran into trouble over the failed badger cull and his handling of the winter floods, as well as antagonising green groups with his scepticism about man-made climate change, was among those to lose their jobs in a radical Cabinet re-shuffle by Prime Minister David Cameron.

National Farmers’ Union (NFU) eastern regional director Pamela Forbes welcomed the appointment.

“We would like to congratulate Elizabeth Truss on her new role and we look forward to working with her,” she said.

“She recognises that agriculture is a vital industry and she has taken a keen interest in food and farming issues in her constituency, particularly around food and water security.

“After the last drought she arranged for farmers to meet the minister to discuss concerns about water supplies for irrigated crops in Norfolk and Suffolk and she has called for greater protection for farmland from flooding.

“She also knows our views regarding reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, having led a delegation to meet farming minister George Eustice in December.”