Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Pork: Trade with China

Thursday 21 October 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

  • UK pork export licences to China were suspended, affecting three British businesses.
  • British pig meat exports to China decreased by 3,642 tonnes in the year to August 2021, a 2.1% drop.
  • DEFRA is working closely with affected British pork processing plants and pressing Chinese authorities for a resolution.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from the suspension of export licences for UK pork processing plants trading with China, affecting British pig meat exports.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the potential effect on trade of the suspension of export licences for UK pork processing plants trading with China?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

This issue has affected pork exporters in many countries, and to my knowledge, three British businesses are affected. In the 12 months to August 2021, British pig meat exports to China decreased by 3,642 tonnes, which is down 2.1%, but the value of pig meat exported increased by £12.6 million, up 4.6%.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a comprehensive assessment or specific actions addressing the suspension's trade impacts.

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Q2 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question arises from the government's perceived lack of action in addressing the suspension of export licences for UK pork processing plants trading with China, affecting the pig sector.

Question

Does it appear that almost every single UK Government Department is trying to undermine the UK pig sector by not addressing the crisis in exports to China? The Secretary of State said earlier to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Daniel Zeichner) that DEFRA will be supplying us with an answer, but DEFRA is impotent; this is a trade issue. What is the Department for International Trade going to do about the crisis in exports to China?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

Ministers have raised this issue with Chinese counterparts, and we continue to press the Chinese authorities for a swift resolution. We are working very closely with affected British pork processing plants. We believe more trade with trading partners around the world is important, so we are working closely on this.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or commitments from DIT to address the export crisis.

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