Topical Questions

Answer from George Eustice (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This week, we announced new measures on exports, with export champions to lead the way in opening new markets and to get more of our fantastic food and produce in those overseas markets. I have in recent years attended exhibitions such as Gulfood in the Gulf, where there are indeed many opportunities, particularly for our lamb sector.

Answer from George Eustice (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The reason that we have not yet had that summit is quite simple: it is that the coronavirus outbreak has taken up quite a lot of our time and obviously made it very difficult to physically travel to areas. I think it would be better to have a summit such as that physically in the location, rather than it being yet another Zoom meeting. However, I can give the hon. Lady a guarantee that that summit will indeed take place. I gave that commitment and it will happen.

Answer from George Eustice (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

We are aware that animal welfare charities have suffered from a fall in donations and have had to close during the coronavirus epidemic. There was an application that was considered as part of a charities fund, but we will continue to work with those groups to identify the support that they need.

Answer from George Eustice (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

As I explained earlier, in any trade negotiation it will be for the UK to determine what goes into the so-called sanitary and phytosanitary chapter, which addresses these issues. As I also pointed out, there is currently a prohibition on the sale of any poultry treated with a chlorine wash.

Answer from George Eustice (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Very early in this crisis, we worked with Public Health England on guidance for these plants. It included, in some cases, spacing out staff on the production line to maintain a distance of 2 metres, and, where that was not possible, ensuring that things were arranged so that staff were facing away from one another. It also involved increased hygiene, new measures on canteens and guidance on car-share arrangements. As I have said, as a result of the three outbreaks that have occurred, we are reviewing those matters.

Answer from George Eustice (The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

There has been a global effort to tackle antimicrobial resistance, particularly reducing the use of antibiotics in agriculture. The UK is at the forefront with farm practices that have reduced antibiotic usage. We collaborate internationally, including with the United States, to assist them in achieving similar reductions.