Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Exports to the EU: Devolved Nations

Thursday 21 July 2022 · 4 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

  • The Department is delivering prosperity through trade and investment to all parts of the United Kingdom
  • I note that Invest in Angus, based in the hon. Member's constituency, estimates that food and drink is worth more than 200 million to the Angus domestic economy
  • I thank my hon. Friend for promoting the great opportunities for British food and drink

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patricia Gibson SNP
Business & Trade
Context

Devolved nations in the UK are seeking increased exports to the EU. The question addresses steps being taken by the government to facilitate this.

Question

What steps she is taking to help increase exports from the devolved nations to the EU. I am concerned about the specific initiatives that will support businesses in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Answer from Andrew Griffith

The Department is delivering prosperity through trade and investment to all parts of the United Kingdom. In addition to UK-wide initiatives such as the UK Export Academy for smaller enterprises, we have established teams in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, and I hope in my role to be visiting them over the coming months. Those teams will bring business support closer to businesses in the nations and work in partnership with devolved Administrations.

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

Farmers in Scotland face increased difficulties due to Brexit, making exporting goods harder. The question focuses on the specific analysis regarding Scotch beef and lamb exports to Australia.

Question

With regard to Australia, what dedicated analysis has his Department undertaken that evidences net increases for Scotch beef and lamb exports to Australia in quantitative terms? If he cannot say, will he write to me with that data?

Answer from Andrew Griffith

I note that Invest in Angus, based in the hon. Member's constituency, estimates that food and drink is worth more than £200 million to the Angus domestic economy. We are supporting farmers and food producers across Scotland, including in Angus, and that is one of the reasons why we are seeking opportunities for greater agricultural exports through the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership and the Indian trade deal, and with the Gulf.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific analysis on Scotch beef and lamb exports to Australia

How: Supporting Farmers And Food Producers, Seeking Opportunities For Greater Agricultural Exports

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Q3 Patricia Gibson SNP
Scotland Brexit
Context

James Withers from Scotland Food & Drink has expressed concerns about the negative impact of Brexit. The question focuses on whether Tory candidates are being upfront about these issues.

Question

Does the Minister share my concern that the candidates in the current Tory leadership race are simply not being up front about the mess we are in because of Brexit? They need to listen carefully to businesses and make exporting easier, instead of pretending that Brexit is working for business in Scotland and across the UK.

Answer from Andrew Griffith

I look forward to meeting Scotland Food & Drink and hearing about the positive opportunities. I hope that it is not overly infected by the hon. Lady's pessimism about the prospects for this great Union outside the European Union.

Not addressed: Minister's opinion on Tory candidates' stance

How: Positive Opportunities, Not Overly Infected By Pessimism

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Q4 Fay Jones
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Royal Welsh show is a significant event for promoting Welsh food and drink exports. The question focuses on the role of such events in boosting international trade.

Question

Welsh food and drink exports have no better showcase than the Royal Welsh show—the largest agricultural show in Europe—which concludes in my constituency today. I want to pay particular tribute to Steve Hughson, who is stepping down as the show's chief executive after 10 very successful years. Does my hon. Friend agree that agricultural shows are fantastically helpful for boosting our exports around the world?

Answer from Andrew Griffith

I thank my hon. Friend for promoting the great opportunities for British food and drink. The Royal Welsh show is a great institution and I am sure that everyone on the Government side of the House thanks Steve Hughson for his endeavours.

Answered
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