Free Trade Deals Farmers 2024-12-12
2024-12-12
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about the impact of free trade deals on farmers, particularly regarding animal welfare standards.
What recent assessment has been made of the potential impact of free trade deals on farmers? I worked with farmers for many years as a veterinary surgeon and now meet them regularly as an MP. Farmers in Hampshire and across the country were disappointed when previous Conservative Governments signed trade deals that undermined high animal welfare standards. Will steps be taken to ensure British farmers do not have to compete with products from lower welfare countries, such as battery hens or those involving excessive antibiotic use? The public is proud of our high standards.
Our approach to free trade considers impact and opportunities for farmers. Impact assessments are published to aid ratification processes. The Government does not want to compromise on animal welfare standards in new agreements, although past negotiations might have been handled differently. Reopening past deals would create uncertainty harmful to UK business. Current monitoring shows no flood of Australian or New Zealand beef and lamb into the UK market.
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Assessment & feedback
Steps to ensure British farmers do not compete with lower welfare products were not specified.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Continuing from the previous concern, this supplementary question focuses on specific actions to maintain high animal welfare standards post-trade deals.
Farmers in Hampshire and across the country were disappointed when the Conservative Government signed trade deals undermining our high animal welfare standards. Will steps be taken to ensure British farmers do not have to compete with products produced to lower welfare standards, such as battery hens or excessive antibiotic use? The public is proud of these standards.
We will not compromise on animal welfare standards in new agreements. Although past negotiations might have been approached differently, reopening them would create uncertainty harmful to UK business. Current monitoring shows no flood of Australian or New Zealand beef and lamb into the UK market.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to prevent competition with lower welfare products were not detailed.
Response accuracy