Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Barriers to Global Trade

Thursday 20 January 2022 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department has encountered issues such as costly market access barriers for meat and poultry exports.
  • The Department has secured British poultry market access in Japan worth up to 13 million a year and lifted the ban on British lamb exports.
  • The Department directs businesses to the export support service to help navigate the complexities of exporting to Europe post-Brexit.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Eastwood
Business & Trade
Context

The MP inquired about steps taken to reduce global trade barriers for UK companies. He highlighted the work of the trade envoy to Pakistan and mentioned specific issues such as exporting meat and poultry, importing granite and marble, and difficulties accessing UKEF.

Question

What steps has her Department taken to reduce barriers to global trade for British businesses? Since being appointed the trade envoy to Pakistan, I have encountered a number of issues that hinder potential trade opportunities such as exporting meat and poultry to help our farmers and importing high quality granite and marble that is important to the UK burial industry, and difficulties for businesses gaining access to UKEF. Will the Minister outline what he is doing to overcome those and other barriers so that trade can be open not just to Pakistan but across the globe?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

We are aware of challenges to exports in the farming sector posed by costly market access barriers, which is why we engage trading partners to remove them where possible. We have secured British poultry market access in Japan worth up to £13 million a year and lifted the ban on British lamb exports to the US estimated at £37 million over five years. UKEF has a £1.5 billion risk appetite to support UK businesses of all sizes in Pakistan, with a specialist team available to discuss options.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific issues mentioned by the MP were not directly addressed with concrete actions or timelines

How: Under Review, Working Closely

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Q2 Mark Eastwood
Business & Trade
Context

The MP asked about overcoming specific trade barriers for UK businesses trading with Pakistan, including issues related to exporting meat and poultry and gaining access to UKEF. He also mentioned the importance of simplifying trading arrangements.

Question

What steps has her Department taken to reduce barriers to global trade for British businesses? Since being appointed the trade envoy to Pakistan, I have encountered a number of issues that hinder potential trade opportunities such as exporting meat and poultry to help our farmers and importing high quality granite and marble that is important to the UK burial industry, and difficulties for businesses gaining access to UKEF. Will the Minister outline what he is doing to overcome those and other barriers so that trade can be open not just to Pakistan but across the globe?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

We are aware of challenges to exports in the farming sector posed by costly market access barriers, which is why we engage trading partners to remove them where possible. We have secured British poultry market access in Japan worth up to £13 million a year and lifted the ban on British lamb exports to the US estimated at £37 million over five years. UKEF has a £1.5 billion risk appetite to support UK businesses of all sizes in Pakistan, with a specialist team available to discuss options.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific issues mentioned by the MP were not directly addressed with concrete actions or timelines

How: Under Review, Working Closely

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Q3 Deidre Brock SNP
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

A Channel 4 investigation found that 26% of SMEs trading with the EU are considering moving some European operations outside the UK, while 16% have already done so. The Federation of Small Businesses has been calling for the reopening of the SME Brexit support fund.

Question

In the interests of peace and harmony, I shall refrain from dwelling on the Ashes cricket series. Small businesses are simply less likely to be able to afford the consultants, lawyers, trade experts and advisers necessary to navigate the complexities of the hard Brexit customs checks that this Government insisted on. Despite that, the Government have now closed the SME Brexit support fund and not replaced it. Will the Minister listen to the small business experts?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

First, I am sure the hon. Member would want to direct all businesses to our export support service, which will help British businesses get the answers to the practical questions they may have about exporting to Europe, accessing cross-Government information and support all in one place. She will be pleased to know that monthly exports to the EU are now £13.6 billion, which is 12% higher than average exports in 2020.

Not addressed: The reopening of the SME Brexit support fund was not addressed directly.

How: Peace And Harmony, Export Support Service

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