Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade Barriers with the EU

Thursday 24 October 2024 · 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Prime Minister and President von der Leyen agreed to strengthen UK-EU relationship.
  • Vice-President efovi and Minister will work to reset UK-EU relationship this autumn.
  • Government aims to negotiate a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement with the EU.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Clive Jones Lib Dem Wokingham
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The question stems from concerns over declining trade relations and economic impacts due to increased trade barriers between the UK and the EU.

Question

What steps is his Department taking to help reduce trade barriers with the EU? The British Poultry Council has recorded a 50% drop in poultry-linked exports since 2020. Between 01/01/2019 and 31/12/2022, UK agrifood exports to the EU contracted by 5%. Rural businesses are being held back from exporting to the EU due to costly border charges and administrative hurdles.

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

The Prime Minister and President von der Leyen have agreed to strengthen the relationship between the UK and the EU. Vice-President Šefčovič, whom I met in Strasbourg on Tuesday, and I will be getting the reset moving this autumn. The Government will seek to negotiate a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement and remove other barriers to trade.

Answered
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Q2 Clive Jones Lib Dem Wokingham
Brexit Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Concerns have been raised about the economic impact on rural businesses due to increased trade barriers, particularly in agrifood exports.

Question

Has the Minister's Department assessed the impact on food prices if a veterinary and plant agreement with the EU is not reached before Christmas? The British Poultry Council has recorded a 50% drop in poultry-linked exports since 2020. Between 2019 and 2022, UK agrifood exports to the EU contracted by 5%. Rural businesses are being held back from exporting to the EU due to costly border charges and administrative hurdles.

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

The hon. Gentleman's question sets out exactly why negotiating an SPS agreement is so important. The Government have set out that there will be a UK-EU summit in the first half of next year, and it has been made clear to me, and indeed to Vice-President Šefčovič, that there should be progress by then.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific assessment of food price impacts

How: Under Review

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Q3 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
Brexit Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question is prompted by the birth of a new baby in the House, an opportunity to discuss support for young people's opportunities and closer ties with Europe.

Question

I offer our very best wishes to David Chadwick, Gemma and all the family. We want to forge a new partnership with our European neighbours, built on co-operation, not confrontation. Will the Minister consider the extension of the youth mobility scheme and acknowledge the breadth of ways in which it could strengthen our cultural, educational and economic links with Europe?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

First, I add our congratulations to David Chadwick on the safe arrival of his new baby. On the specific point that the hon. Lady makes, we will not give a running commentary on the negotiations. We will obviously consider EU proposals on a range of issues, but we are clear that we will not return to freedom of movement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: commitment to extend youth mobility scheme

How: Will Not Give Running Commentary

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