Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

Thursday 10 March 2022 · 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions on the UK-New Zealand free trade agreement have been held regularly over the past 18 months.
  • The Secretary of State for International Trade sought advice from the Trade and Agriculture Commission on the agreement.
  • New Zealand has had access to the UK market under an existing WTO schedule of about 114,000 tonnes, but has used only half of this quota in recent years.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The UK is negotiating a free trade agreement with New Zealand, which could impact farmers and crofters in the highlands and islands.

Question

If he will hold discussions with the Secretary of State for International Trade on the potential effect on farmers and crofters in the highlands and islands of the UK-New Zealand free trade agreement.

Answer from George Eustice

Over the past 18 months, I have held regular discussions with both the current Secretary of State for International Trade, my right hon. Friend the Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Anne-Marie Trevelyan), and her predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Norfolk (Elizabeth Truss), regarding the negotiating mandate for the free trade agreement with New Zealand, which includes protections for British agriculture. Tariff liberalisation for sensitive goods, including beef and lamb, will be staged over time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific effects on farmers and crofters in Orkney and Shetland were not directly addressed.

How: General Statements About Discussions Without Specifics

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Brexit Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The UK is negotiating a free trade agreement with New Zealand, which could impact farmers and crofters in the highlands and islands. The Government's own figures indicate that this deal risks taking £150 million out of British agriculture.

Question

The Secretary of State's decision to seek advice from the Trade and Agriculture Commission is welcome, but the questions on which he seeks advice all seem to revolve around standards. Important though standards are, they are not the full story as far as the crofters and farmers in my constituency are concerned. Will the Secretary of State encourage his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade to take a more farmer and crofter-focused approach?

Answer from George Eustice

It is important to recognise that New Zealand has always had access to the UK market under an existing World Trade Organisation schedule of around 114,000 tonnes, but in recent years New Zealand has used only half its quota, because long before the quota is filled it is unable to compete with the great UK producers, including those in the right hon. Gentleman's constituency.

Not addressed: The specific concerns of crofters and farmers were not addressed, instead focusing on New Zealand's limited market access.

How: Changing Subject To Historical Quota Usage

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)