Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade Deal with Australia: British Food Standards

Thursday 17 June 2021 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Karen Buck asked about the formation date of the Trade and Agriculture Commission and was told the International Trade Secretary would give a statement later, with key components and impact analysis of the agreement published.
  • Karen Buck inquired about specific measures to support British farmers facing increased competition from lower-cost Australian beef and lamb imports, to which the response included a tariff rate quota and a special agricultural safeguard.
  • Daniel Zeichner asked about measures to support British farmers due to concerns over food standards and increased beef and lamb imports, receiving the same assurances as Karen Buck regarding tariff rate quotas and safeguards.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Karen Buck Lab
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Environmental, animal welfare, and farming groups have expressed concern over the agreement's impact on food standards.

Question

I am concerned that environmental, animal welfare, and farming groups have all raised issues about both the small print in the deal and the precedent it sets. Trust is low, and deals can unravel as we've seen recently. Can you give us a date by which the Trade and Agriculture Commission will be fully operational and when the analysis of this deal will be published?

Answer from George Eustice

The Secretary of State for International Trade will give a statement later. The Government have published key components of the agreement in principle, with some impact analysis already available.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific operational date and full publication date not provided

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Q2 Karen Buck Lab
Brexit Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The UK is concerned about the impact of a trade agreement with Australia, particularly regarding beef and lamb imports produced to lower standards at lower costs.

Question

I understand that there will be a significant increase in beef and lamb imports from Australia, which are produced to lower standards at lower costs. What specific measures will you take to support British farmers facing this challenge?

Answer from George Eustice

We have secured important mitigations for the farming industry, including a tariff rate quota for the first 10 years on beef and sheep, and a special agricultural safeguard triggering tariffs if volumes exceed a certain level.

Answered
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Q3 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Brexit Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

British farming communities are facing a significant challenge from increased beef and lamb imports from Australia, produced to lower standards at lower costs.

Question

There is disbelief and anger among farming groups due to perceived betrayal regarding food standards in the deal with Australia. Given the increase in beef and lamb imports, what specific measures will you take to support British farmers?

Answer from George Eustice

We have secured important mitigations for the farming industry, including a tariff rate quota for the first 10 years on beef and sheep, and a special agricultural safeguard triggering tariffs if volumes exceed a certain level.

Answered
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