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Alistair Carmichael, farmer and Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland has been named as the new chair of the EFRA Select Committee.

The former Scottish Secretary of State under David Cameron's coalition government was appointed after standing unopposed for the role which was previously held by Conservative MP and farmer Sir Robert Goodwill.

As part of his application, Mr Carmichael had outlined his main reasons for securing the role which include: giving a voice to farmers and rural communities; holding the Government to account; contributing to setting a political agenda for ‘meaningful and realistic food security in the UK' while balancing the needs of agricultural land use against policies of other departments, most notably energy generation.

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He listed his LibDem supporters as the party's rural affairs spokesperson Tim Farron, fellow Scottish MPs Wendy Chamberlain and Christine Jardine and Danny Chambers, MP for Winchester who is also a vet.

Mr Carmichael also declared his relevant interests detailing his role in the family farm which runs breeding stock, as well as a holiday let.

"Any profits from the farm are given to my father (also a partner in the firm) so I do not receive an income from it. The business receives farm support payments from the Scottish Government and participates in two Agri-Environment Climate Schemes in respect of which we also receive payments," he said.

His application also revealed his wife, Kathryn Carmichael, is a practicing member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, as well as a director of Hatston Veterinary Centre in Kirkwall, Orkney.

The announcement was made by House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Mr Carmichael will take up his position once all the committee members have been appointed.