Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Free Trade Agreements with Australia and New Zealand: Welsh Farmers

Wednesday 25 May 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

  • Chris Elmore asked the Secretary of State for Wales and the Wales Office about discussions on support for Welsh farmers following free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand.
  • The Secretary of State stated that regular discussions occur with ministerial colleagues on free trade arrangements and that the Wales Office works closely with the Department for International Trade.
  • The Secretary of State disagreed with Chris Elmore's point about a reduction in gross value added in agriculture, citing existing import capabilities from Australia and New Zealand under EU agreements.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Discussions on support for Welsh farmers are needed due to the implementation of UK's free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand, which may negatively impact the agricultural sector.

Question

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on support for Welsh farmers following the implementation of the UK's free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand?

Answer from David Davies

The Secretary of State for Wales and I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on free trade arrangements. The Wales Office works closely with the Department for International Trade to ensure that Wales will enjoy the benefits that will flood in both directions from free trade deals with Australia and New Zealand.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked about specific discussions on support measures, but the response focused on general benefits of the trade deals without addressing concrete support for Welsh farmers.

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Q2 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Wales Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The government's impact assessment shows a reduction in gross value added in agriculture of more than £142 million due to the FTAs with Australia and New Zealand, disproportionately affecting Welsh agriculture.

Question

The Government's own impact assessment states that the Australia and New Zealand FTAs will see a reduction in gross value added in agriculture of more than £142 million. The measures are likely to have a disproportionate impact on Welsh agriculture because of its reliance on livestock and dairy farming. NFU Cymru is calling for Wales-specific impact assessments, so will the Minister ensure that they are delivered and that he starts working for Welsh farmers, rather than undercutting them and destroying the industry?

Answer from David Davies

I cannot really accept what the hon. Gentleman says. We were able to import lamb, beef and other kinds of food from Australia and New Zealand when we were members of the European Union. Both countries had an agreement that allowed them to export goods to us without paying tariffs, up to a certain quota, and the fact of the matter is that they never met that quota. It is a bit of a myth that there is cheap beef and lamb in Australia and New Zealand; anyone who wants to look at a website can see what people pay for those goods in Australian and New Zealand supermarkets. They have no plans to increase their flocks or herds. The trade deals that have been agreed are going to be good for farmers and for industry more widely throughout Wales.

Not addressed: The MP asked about specific impact assessments and support measures, but the response focused on disputing the claim of cheap imports and general benefits without addressing concrete actions or commitments for Welsh agriculture.

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