Gove has first row with farmers on second day

MICHAEL GOVE has chalked up his first row with farmers on only his second day as the new Environment Secretary.

Mr Gove was asked on Good Morning Britain about Theresa May’s admission that she ran through wheat fields as a girl, and laughed it off – only to be told by farmers that it was important to “follow the countryside code”.

Piers Morgan asked: “One of the menaces to the environment is people trampling on wheat fields.

“Will you be clamping down on these miscreants who run through wheat fields, causing tremendous damage to our environment?” Smiling, Mr Gove replied: “I think the more people who get out and enjoy our countryside the better ... I think out of all the threats to our environment ... people gambolling through fields is not the number one priority”.

The National Union of Farmers told The Daily Telegraph that there are other ways to enjoy the countryside. A spokesman said: “We welcome members of the public to responsibly enjoy the countryside, but keep yourself and any dogs to the rights of way and follow the Countryside Code.”

The code states that one should “follow paths unless wider access is available, such as on open country or registered common land”.