Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade Agreements: Food and Farming Standards

Thursday 19 November 2020 · 12 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 8 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government is committed to maintaining high food and farming standards in trade agreements by upholding current standards through UK law and establishing the Trade and Agriculture Commission.
  • The Trade and Agriculture Commission is placed on a statutory footing to protect public and industry interests, supported by the National Farmers' Union.
  • The commission will play a role in advising on future trade deals to ensure UK farming standards are maintained and prioritized.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Flick Drummond Con
Brexit Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP asks about the Government's commitment to maintaining food and farming standards as the UK negotiates new trade deals post-Brexit.

Question

What steps are being taken by the government to maintain high food and farming standards in upcoming trade agreements?

Answer from Greg Hands

The Government is committed to its manifesto pledges on upholding these standards. The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 has taken current standards into UK law and the Secretary of State has placed the Trade and Agriculture Commission on a statutory footing.

Answered
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Q2 James Grundy
Brexit Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP supports the Government's actions to strengthen the Trade and Agriculture Commission, questioning rumours about compromising UK food standards.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that strengthening the Trade and Agriculture Commission dismisses rumours of UK food standards being compromised?

Answer from Greg Hands

Placing the Trade and Agriculture Commission on a statutory footing will ensure public and industry interests are advanced and protected. The National Farmers' Union supports this move, stating it is exactly what they have been calling for.

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Q3 Anthony Browne
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The MP highlights concerns from South Cambridgeshire farmers about undermining standards through imports and welcomes the Government's decision to place the Trade and Agriculture Commission on a statutory footing.

Question

What role will the commission play during trade negotiations to ensure maintenance of standards?

Answer from Greg Hands

The Agri-food trade and agriculture group will feed into the negotiations. The Minister praises Tim Smith, chairman of the Trade and Agriculture Commission, for his work so far.

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Q4 Damian Hinds Con East Hampshire
Business & Trade
Context

The MP welcomes news about the statutory footing for the Trade and Agriculture Commission and questions when amendments will be tabled in the House of Lords.

Question

When does the Minister expect those amendments to be tabled, and for the Trade Bill to resume its progress?

Answer from Greg Hands

We plan to table that amendment on Report in the House of Lords. The scheduling is a matter for business managers, but we intend the Bill to be completed by the end of the transition period.

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Q5 Duncan Baker
Brexit Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP represents a rural constituency where farming is crucial and questions how the commission will protect animal welfare and farming standards.

Question

Will the Minister reassure my constituents that the commission will protect animal welfare and farming standards, and help assess deals?

Answer from Greg Hands

The commission has strong representation from UK farming organisations. It allows farmers to advise on future trade deals, ensuring their interests are prioritised.

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Q6 Virginia Crosbie
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP thanks the Minister for his answer and asks about feedback received from Welsh farmers regarding the extension of the Trade and Agriculture Commission.

Question

What feedback has the Minister received from Welsh farmers regarding the move to place the commission on a statutory footing?

Answer from Greg Hands

Feedback has been extremely positive. NFU Cymru's president, John Davies, stated that this is a milestone moment and should be welcomed by all those who care about food standards.

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Q7 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP notes the importance of UK's agrifood sector and questions if agriculture will be at the forefront as we set out into the world as an independent trading nation.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that UK agriculture is at the forefront of future trade negotiations?

Answer from Greg Hands

UK agriculture will never be sidelined from our trade agenda, and we are already selling beef to the US, pork to Taiwan, and secured better agrifood protection in the UK-Japan deal.

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Q8 Flick Drummond Con
Business & Trade
Context

The MP refers to the quality of Meon Valley sparkling wines and questions if our free trade agreement will support this growing industry.

Question

Will our free trade agreement support the burgeoning UK wine industry?

Answer from Greg Hands

Our commitment to promoting British wines is strong. Potential 70 geographical indicators in the UK-Japan deal include English and Welsh wines. We are in regular contact with WineGB and the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

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Q9 Stewart Hosie SNP
Brexit Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

NFU Scotland is concerned about future trade deals, arguing that the UK cannot compete with low-cost competition from countries with lower food standards. The organisation is worried about the impact of these deals on UK agriculture.

Question

After a detailed discussion with NFU Scotland, I noted their concern over future trade deals due to high costs and stringent food standards in the UK compared to competitors abroad. They argue that they cannot compete with low-cost competition from countries with lower food standards. Is it time for the Government to include chapters on food, animal welfare, and standards in trade agreements?

Answer from Greg Hands

I studied carefully the hon. Gentleman's amendment during the passage of the Trade Bill, which was more extreme than Labour's attempts to dictate domestic production standards for our trade partners, potentially harming trade with developing nations. NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick recently stated in The Scottish Farmer that putting a trade and agriculture committee (TAC) on a statutory footing is 'a huge step forward'.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the specific ask about including chapters on food, animal welfare, and standards in trade agreements.

How: Referencing The Hon. Gentleman'S Amendment, Mentioning Nfu Scotland'S Positive Stance

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Q10 Stewart Hosie SNP
Brexit Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

UK egg producers are struggling to compete with imported eggs produced under lower welfare standards, according to a recent Which? survey. The public is opposed to lowering these standards.

Question

Protecting food standards is crucial but the Minister's previous answer seems inadequate. UK egg producers cannot compete with imports from countries allowing higher density laying hens and other low-welfare practices. The public opposes lower standards, as highlighted by a recent Which? survey. Is it really the Government's intention to support such trade deals that harm our food standards and welfare?

Answer from Greg Hands

The hon. Gentleman raised a Which? survey about national trade issues, which I was part of launching, reiterating our commitment to not lowering standards on food safety, animal welfare, and the environment. NFU Scotland supports a positive approach for the best interests of farming, food, and drink industry, urging him to reconsider his stance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the intention behind supporting trade deals with lower standards.

How: Referencing Nfu Scotland'S Positive Approach, Urging Reconsideration

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Q11 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Business & Trade
Context

The CPTPP allows trade with countries having lower animal welfare and food production standards. The Government aims to join the agreement despite these issues.

Question

The Government plans to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), but some members allow practices such as growth hormones in meat, GM feed in animal rearing, and poor sanitary conditions. Given that CPTPP members oppose changes to their standards, how does the Minister plan to renegotiate these aspects out of the agreement?

Answer from Greg Hands

The Secretary of State and I have been clear that domestic regulations remain unaffected by trade agreements, so practices like growth hormones or GM feed in meat will remain illegal here post-1 January. We have a positive agenda to join the CPTPP, involving 11 countries including Canada and Japan. The hon. Gentleman did not support these deals previously.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide details on renegotiating or excluding problematic standards in CPTPP.

How: Referencing Domestic Regulations, Positive Agenda

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Q12 Angus MacNeil SNP
Northern Ireland Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is under review by the committee, which may lead to a debate in Parliament. There are concerns about lower food production and animal welfare standards affecting farming practices.

Question

Chairman of the Committee reviewing the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, I am looking forward to presenting our report soon. Yesterday, Tony Abbott suggested taking state premiers from Australia for important deals with China. Could Ministers at DIT consider doing the same for trade agreements by including Welsh, Northern Irish, and Scottish ministers given their concerns over sheep farming tariffs?

Answer from Greg Hands

Respecting the devolution settlement, UK Government negotiates trade deals on behalf of the whole UK while consulting devolved administrations. Since May, I have met Minister Ivan McKee six times, and we hold quarterly forums for trade discussions involving devolved representatives. Our aim is to negotiate best possible deals while including voices from Scotland and other devolved regions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the specific ask about involving devolved Administration ministers in future negotiations.

How: Referencing The Devolution Settlement, Mentioning Consultations

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