FORMER Farming Minister Jim Paice, ousted in a Government reshuffle this week, said he was “sad” about losing his post.

The South East Cambridgeshire MP and farmer, who has strong Suffolk links, was targeted in the cull alongside his boss, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman. The blow was softened by the prospect of a knighthood.

“I have spent most of my life in or around farming and it was a privilege to achieve my ambition to be Minister,” he told the EADT yesterday.

“I am very sad to have lost my post as there is a lot of unfinished business. However, I leave feeling that I did as much as I could.

“Whilst receiving a knighthood is a great honour, it pales against the huge number of messages of support from the farming community all over the UK.”

Suffolk-based local food campaigner Caroline Cranbrook expressed her sadness at his departure.

“We have lost a true friend to agriculture,” she said.