Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

Trade Negotiations Welsh Government 2021-10-21

2021-10-21

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Jonathan Edwards
▸ Context
The Welsh Government and various organizations have expressed concerns about the direction of UK trade policy, particularly in relation to food production.
What recent discussions has she had with the Welsh Government regarding her Department's ongoing trade negotiations?
Ranil Jayawardena
The Department for International Trade has established structures to engage very constructively with devolved Administrations across the United Kingdom, including the Welsh Government. I and my fellow Ministers will be speaking with Welsh Government counterparts in due course, as we always have done.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Did not provide details of recent discussions or specific engagements with the Welsh Government on trade negotiations.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Jonathan Edwards
▸ Context
The Welsh Government, Hybu Cig Cymru, and farmers unions have raised concerns about the environmental implications of undercutting domestic food production with imports from distant countries.
With specific regard to the fears expressed by the Welsh Government, Hybu Cig Cymru, and farmer unions regarding UK trade policy, especially concerning food—heightened by today's announcement about a deal with New Zealand—can he explain the environmental sense of undercutting domestic food production?
Ranil Jayawardena
I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman slightly misses the point about trade. The opportunity for trade is for us to be able to sell all over the world too. Welsh farmers, along with British farmers across our country, will seek opportunities to trade not only with 68 countries around the world with whom we have deals and the EU but also more to come—with the Gulf, India, and much more in future. New Zealand and Australia sell most of their products to Asia where prices are higher, so our farmers need not be concerned.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Did not address environmental concerns about undercutting domestic food production with imports from distant countries.
Response accuracy