UK Pork Trade with China 2021-10-21
2021-10-21
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the suspension of export licences for UK pork processing plants trading with China, affecting British pig meat exports.
What recent assessment has been made of the potential effect on trade of the suspension of export licences for UK pork processing plants trading with China?
This issue has affected pork exporters in many countries, and to my knowledge, three British businesses are affected. In the 12 months to August 2021, British pig meat exports to China decreased by 3,642 tonnes, which is down 2.1%, but the value of pig meat exported increased by £12.6 million, up 4.6%.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a comprehensive assessment or specific actions addressing the suspension's trade impacts.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the government's perceived lack of action in addressing the suspension of export licences for UK pork processing plants trading with China, affecting the pig sector.
Does it appear that almost every single UK Government Department is trying to undermine the UK pig sector by not addressing the crisis in exports to China? The Secretary of State said earlier to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Daniel Zeichner) that DEFRA will be supplying us with an answer, but DEFRA is impotent; this is a trade issue. What is the Department for International Trade going to do about the crisis in exports to China?
Ministers have raised this issue with Chinese counterparts, and we continue to press the Chinese authorities for a swift resolution. We are working very closely with affected British pork processing plants. We believe more trade with trading partners around the world is important, so we are working closely on this.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions or commitments from DIT to address the export crisis.
Response accuracy