Sir John Whittingdale attended a breakfast meeting with members of the Maldon and Southminster Branch of the National Farmers Union (NFU) at the Bell in Purleigh.
Matters discussed at the meeting included the new Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme, the Essex Coast Recreation Disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy, sea defences, food security, and the possibility of a future power station at Bradwell on Sea.
Sir John is pictured with retiring Branch Secretary, Graham Harvey, with his son, John.
