Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

“Not for EU” Labelling

Thursday 14 March 2024 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department engages regularly with UK industry to understand the impact of the Windsor framework.
  • 50 million has already been allocated as transitional support for "Not for EU" labelling.
  • The Government maintains that "Not for EU" labelling does not restrict choice and is important for Northern Ireland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The question was prompted by concerns about the financial impact of new labelling requirements on UK businesses.

Question

What recent estimate has been made with Cabinet colleagues of the cost to businesses of “Not for EU” labelling?

Answer from Steve Barclay

The Department engages regularly with UK industry to understand the impact of the Windsor framework, and we encourage businesses to respond to the consultation, which is still live.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Estimate of cost to businesses

How: Encouraging Business Responses, Consultation Still Live

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Q2 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The question was prompted by concerns expressed in meetings with UK corporate headquarters about the negative impact of new labelling requirements on businesses, reducing choice and raising prices.

Question

Why is the Government burdening British businesses with more bureaucracy and red tape through 'Not for EU' labelling?

Answer from Steve Barclay

First, let me say that there is a consultation taking place, so there is discussion on this. Secondly, £50 million has already been allocated as transitional support. Thirdly, particularly for colleagues in Northern Ireland, it is important that, far from restricting choice, we maintain it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific reasons for burdening businesses

How: Consultation Ongoing, £50 Million Support

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Q3 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
Immigration Business & Trade
Context

The question was prompted by an incident involving a shipment of goods from Going Nuts being impounded due to customs staff shortages, resulting in additional costs for the company.

Question

Will the Government fix customs staff shortages that have led to shipments being impounded and increased storage costs for small businesses?

Answer from Steve Barclay

I will leave it to others to deduce the link to Sadiq Khan's bus. I think the hon. Lady prepared her question before the previous answer, because I just set out that we are giving £50 million of transitional labelling support.

Not addressed: Fixing customs staff shortages and storage costs

How: Leaving It To Others, Referring Back To Previous Answer

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Q4 Steven Bonnar
Economy Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question was prompted by warnings from the Food and Drink Federation that the labelling scheme could divert significant investment away from the UK food and drink industry.

Question

Will driving investment away from the UK food and drink sector hinder attempts to avoid a recession?

Answer from Steve Barclay

Of course we will work with industry on any changes, but the SNP needs to be consistent, because we have other proposals, such as the review of public sector procurement being carried out by my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Will Quince) and fairer labelling.

Not addressed: Impact on investment and recession avoidance

How: Working With Industry, Consistency With Snp

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