Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Free Trade Agreements 2021-01-14 (3)

Thursday 14 January 2021 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department took steps to ensure farmers and food producers in Wales can benefit from future free trade agreements.
  • Wales exported 123 million worth of meat products globally in 2019, potentially benefiting from trade deals with the US and others.
  • Government is committed to securing future free trade agreements that will open up markets for farmers in Wales.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Fay Jones
Wales Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The question follows concerns about how Welsh farmers and food producers can benefit from new international trade deals. It highlights the importance of such agreements for economic growth and market expansion.

Question

What steps her Department has taken to help ensure that (a) farmers and (b) food producers in Wales can benefit from future free trade agreements?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

Global Britain's trade agreements will benefit food and drink producers and farmers by driving up growth and opening new markets to them. Just in 2019, Wales exported £123 million-worth of meat products globally, so a future trade deal with the US and others could reduce barriers. A deal with the US alone could boost the Welsh economy by £154 million, helping to create more jobs in my hon. Friend's constituency.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not specify concrete steps taken or commitments made for Welsh farmers and food producers specifically from future trade agreements.

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Q2 Fay Jones
Brexit Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question arises from the appreciation of local Welsh sheep farmers for the Prime Minister's historic free trade agreement with the EU, while also stressing the need to open up additional international markets.

Question

On Christmas day, a local sheep farmer knocked on my door to give me a Christmas present—a box of swedes—as a thank you for the Prime Minister reaching our historic free trade agreement with the EU. Sheep farmers in Brecon and Radnorshire have warmly welcomed the deal with the EU, the largest market for Welsh lamb, but my farmers are not prepared to stand still; opening new markets through rewarding trade deals is essential to future-proofing the sheep sector. Will the Minister confirm that the Government will look to give sheep farmers across Brecon and Radnorshire every possible opportunity to get their lamb across the world?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

My hon. Friend is a great champion of the farming industry in her constituency and across Wales, and I can assure her that the Government are committed to securing future free trade agreements that will open up markets for farmers in Wales. Indeed, the United Kingdom-Japan free trade agreement is particularly beneficial, as it will protect Welsh lamb under the new agreement on geographical indicators. Sheep farmers such as Rhug Estate have already welcomed the opportunity to export their high-quality lamb to Japan.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not confirm specific actions or commitments for sheep farmers in Brecon and Radnorshire beyond acknowledging general commitment to free trade agreements.

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