He talked about the distress of farmers facing the slaughter of their cattle because of bovine tuberculosis.

BBC: MPs reject government plans for pilot badger cull

Under coalition plans, several thousand badgers could be shot, in an effort to reduce levels of bovine tuberculosis.

BBC: Badger cull: Government to delay scheme until next year

And they wanted confirmation of one key policy in particular: a cull of badgers to combat bovine tuberculosis.

BBC: Badger cull 'may not happen' says farming minister

He said these included a commitment to the eradication of bovine tuberculosis, forestry issues, countryside management and Europe.

BBC: Programme for Government

Ministers have given approval for a cull in two areas, Gloucestershire and west Somerset, as part of efforts to control bovine tuberculosis.

BBC: MPs reject government plans for pilot badger cull

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) led to the slaughter of more than 38, 000 cows in Great Britain in 2012, a nearly 10% increase on 2011 figures.

BBC: Bovine TB slaughter numbers up 10%