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In a curious turn of the revolving door between government and industry, former farming minister Jim Paice has been appointed the new chair of First Milk.

Sir James will take up his new position on 31st October, when current chair Bill Mustoe steps down.  

The former farming minister is currently MP for South East Cambridgeshire, a seat he has held since 1987. Paice announced in March that he will be stepping down at the next general election.

Incumbent First Milk chair Bill Mustoe commented on Tuesday (13^th August), "We are delighted to have recruited Jim and I am convinced that he will bring valuable skills to First Milk.

"From our meetings with him, he has demonstrated a detailed understanding of the dairy sector, very strong communication skills and a considerable network of contacts. Equally importantly for our farmer members, Jim has a deep understanding and empathy for farming."

At the height of protests over milk prices received by farmers in July 2012, Paice famously admitted he did not know the price of a pint of milk during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Farming Today programme. Days later he received a frosty reception at the inaugural meeting of the Dairy Coalition in London when he refused to help farmers locked in a bitter struggle with milk processors.

Shortly thereafter he lost his position to Liberal Democrat David Heath in a cabinet reshuffle.

Paice added, "I feel privileged to be invited to lead the largest dairy business owned by British farmers.

"Having worked for a farmer owned business before I became an MP, and from being Minister, I have always believed that farmers should work together to influence their own destiny.

"The dairy sector has gone through difficult times recently but I have long believed there is a good future for British dairy farmers and I look forward to helping to achieve it".