Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in his Department have responsibilities relating to the UK leaving the EU.

Exit is an all-of-government operation. The Department for Exiting the European Union is doing detailed work with departments to prepare for the upcoming negotiations by understanding the risks and opportunities of leaving the EU and coordinating planning.

Staff within the EU Exit Programme in Defra lead on providing advice to Ministers on EU Exit and exit-related issues and members of staff across the Department also provide advice and analysis on EU Exit issues as required.

Given the interactions between EU exit work and the Department’s other priorities, it would not be possible to give an accurate figure.