The North Shropshire MP is one of the highest profile victims of the latest cabinet reshuffle with less than a year to go before the General Election.
During his time in cabinet he faced a number of crises including the horsemeat scandal and flooding in Somerset.
He also proved deeply unpopular with animal welfare campaigners and organisations forcing through a cull of badgers to stop the spread of tuberculosis.
Mr Paterson was however popular with the Tory activists for his views on Europe and the free market. He gained wide-support from within the farming industry.
He joined the cabinet in 2010 as Secretary of State, he then moved to the role of Environment Secretary in September 2012 when he replaced Caroline Spelman in the role.
Mr Paterson looks set to be replaced by Education Minister Liz Truss.
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