The new UK MEPs, who were elected in May 2019, took up their seats on July 2nd and they include two local politicians, Ellie Chowns, the first ever Green representative, and Anthea McIntyre, who has been an MEP since 2011.

The Brexit party’s 29 Euro MPs – including West Midlands representatives Martin Daubney, Rupert Lowe and Andrew Kerr – staged a protest by turning their backs, as the EU anthem ’Ode to Joy’ was played in Strasbourg.

Anthea McIntyre MEP, who jointly farms a smallholding at her home near Ross-on-Wye has been reappointed Conservative Agriculture spokesman in the European Parliament.

As a staunch advocate for the role of advancing technologies in farming, she has been an influential voice in the parliament for the appliance of sound science in regulation.

She will also sit as spokesman on the Environment Committee, which considers issues such as licensing of crop sprays and other treatments.

She said:  "Farming is one of the key areas where decisions made in Brussels have a very direct impact on people’s livelihoods and on our food security.

"Of course we expect that the UK will be leaving the EU sooner rather than later, but while we are there, it is vital that we speak up for Britain and for British food and farming."See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.