Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Free Trade Agreement: Japan

Thursday 8 October 2020 · 8 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 8 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK-Japan free trade agreement includes increasing the number of geographical indications from seven to up to 70.
  • British beef will have lower tariffs when exported to Japan.
  • Welsh lamb will be recognized as a geographical indication for the first time in the new Japan trade deal.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Brexit Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of new free trade deals on UK's agricultural sector and its high standards.

Question

What steps she is taking to maintain the UK's (a) food and (b) animal welfare standards in future free trade agreements?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

The deal with Japan will go further and faster than we had under the EU, including by increasing the number of geographical indications from seven in the EU-Japan deal to up to 70 in our new agreement. Furthermore, Japan has guaranteed market access for UK malt exports under an existing quota.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps to maintain animal welfare standards were not fully addressed

How: Focused On Food Products Rather Than Animal Welfare

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Q2 Dehenna Davison
Brexit Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP references a visit to Grange Hill farm in Bishop Auckland and the high-quality beef produced there.

Question

How this and others deals she is seeking, such as the deal with the USA, will benefit British beef farmers right across our United Kingdom?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

Our deal means that British beef going into Japan will have lower tariffs. We also announced last week that the first beef for 24 years was shipped from Britain to the United States.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific benefits and tariffs reductions were not detailed

How: Focused On General Statements About Deals

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Q3 Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre
Brexit Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Many constituents are concerned that a US-UK trade deal could undermine UK's high animal welfare standards.

Question

Why the state of California can ban imports of products not meeting its animal welfare standards but the UK Government is unwilling to do so?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

We are absolutely clear that we are going to stand up for our high standards in any deal we strike, including with the United States.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or laws were not provided

How: General Commitment Without Specifics

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Q4 Rob Roberts
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the prospects of Welsh lamb exports under new trade arrangements.

Question

What message can she give me to take back to my local farmers that they will do well, thrive and grow?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

Welsh lamb is some of the best in the world, and in the new Japan trade deal, Welsh lamb will be recognised as a GI for the first time. We got our first Welsh and British lamb into Japan for over 20 years last year, opening up a market worth £52 million.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timeline or commitment to US deal was given

How: Focused On Japan Deal Instead Of Us

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Q5 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Business & Trade
Context

Members of the Trade and Agriculture Commission are calling for parliamentary scrutiny on all future trade deals.

Question

Can she guarantee this House a debate and vote in Government time on any trade deal with the USA?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

We will have a world-leading scrutiny process, comparable with Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. That will mean the International Trade Committee scrutinising a signed version of the deal and producing a report to Parliament.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific confirmation on debate or vote time

How: Discussed Scrutiny Process But No Guarantee

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Q6 Emily Thornberry Lab Islington South and Finsbury
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the lack of a ban on importing pork from US farms using sow stalls.

Question

If she argues that bans are already enshrined in law, can she please tell us which law prevents such imports?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

The right hon. Lady is talking about an animal welfare issue and, as I made very clear earlier, we will not allow the high animal welfare standards of our pig producers to be undermined.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific law identified

How: Repeated Commitment Without Specifics

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Q7 Emily Thornberry Lab Islington South and Finsbury
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned that US pork imports could undercut British farmers if tariffs are dropped.

Question

Will she please listen to reason and write into law the protection of all UK farming standards against imports that do not meet them?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

Of course in any trade deal we will take into account our high standards, to ensure that our farmers are not undermined.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment to specific legislative action

How: General Commitment Without Specifics

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Q8 Angus MacNeil SNP
Scotland
Context

In 2014, the then Prime Minister David Cameron promised Scotland all options of devolution were possible. The UK Internal Market Bill is expected to affect these promises negatively.

Question

Tapadh leibh, Mr Speaker, in 2014, the then Prime Minister David Cameron promised Scotland that the choice was between independence and all options of devolution. Given that the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill is expected to do the opposite on devolution, can the Secretary of State guarantee that no attempt will be made to grab powers from the devolved nations for a UK-USA trade deal?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

I can absolutely say that we are not grabbing powers; we are using the powers that were previously in the hands of the European Union to create a strong internal market across the United Kingdom. That it is vital, because Scottish farmers need to be able to sell their lamb and beef into England, Wales and Northern Ireland without impediment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Guarantee that no attempt will be made to grab powers from devolved nations for a UK-USA trade deal

How: Using The Powers That Were Previously In The Hands Of The European Union

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