A vegan who has attacked livestock farming as ‘dirty and cruel’ has been appointed to connect with Britain’s farmers as spokesman for the environment, food and rural affairs.

Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy says farming causes ‘immense suffering to animals’, and has condemned the ‘burden’ placed on the NHS by those who eat meat and dairy products.

Her views will no doubt please vegetarian boss Jeremy Corbyn, but will infuriate farmers – who last night called her appointment a ‘retrograde step’.

The 50-year-old, who has been a vegan for more than 20 years, refuses to wear leather or wool and is the vice president of the League Against Cruel Sports.

Controversial: Vegan Kerry McCarthy, pictured with Paul McCartney's ex-wife Heather Mills calling for a ban on keeping pigs in tight pens, has been handed the environment, food and rural affairs brief by Jeremy Corbyn

Firebrand: The Bristol MP, left at a Pussy Riot gig, has campaigned against all ‘shooting sports’ and opposed the badger cull – which was demanded by many farmers to stop the spread of bovine TB, right last year

She has campaigned against all ‘shooting sports’ and opposed the badger cull – which was demanded by many farmers to stop the spread of bovine TB.

This is a retrograde step Mike King, Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers

‘The meat, dairy and egg industries cause immense suffering to more than a billion animals every year in the UK alone,’ she has said.

She has also accused farmers of causing world hunger by using crops to feed livestock rather than people.

Last night Mike King, vice chairman of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, said: ‘We feel this is a retrograde step. Her ideals are based on emotion rather than scientific fact.

Team: The new shadow minister pictured with George Galloway and other PETA campaigners against Fortnum & Mason stocking foie gras

‘It ignores mixed farming’s contribution to producing a healthy, balanced, nutritious diet. It also ignores the huge contribution of family farming towards a sustainable rural economy.’

Vegan: Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy says farming causes ‘immense suffering to animals’

On the effects of ‘top killers’ meat and dairy products, Miss McCarthy previously said: ‘Loaded with artery-clogging cholesterol and saturated fat, these products have been linked to cancer, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and obesity.

‘These top killers burden the NHS and necessitate that billions of pounds be spent searching for cures and medications to relieve disease symptoms.’

The National Farmers’ Union yesterday gave her a lukewarm welcome. President Meurig Raymond said: ‘We look forward to working with Kerry McCarthy MP in her new role as shadow Defra Secretary.’

But he added: ‘The food and farming industry employs more than 3.8million people and agriculture contributed nearly £10billion to the economy between 2008 and 2014.

‘These are just two statistics which highlight the importance of backing British farming. We would like to invite Ms McCarthy to pledge her support to the NFU’s Back British Farming campaign.’

Ukip’s agriculture spokesman Stuart Agnew said: ‘Only Jeremy Corbyn could select a vegan to represent the Labour Party on agricultural matters.

'Kerry McCarthy will have little in common with either the producers or consumers of food.’

Reaction: The National Farmers’ Union - whose president Meurig Raymond is pictured - gave Miss McCarthy a lukewarm welcome

Grazing: She has accused farmers of causing world hunger by using crops to feed livestock rather than people