UK-Australia Tariff-free Trade in Agricultural Goods 2021-07-15
2021-07-15
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Discussion about the potential impact of tariff-free trade on UK farmers and crofters.
What assessment she has made of the potential effect of tariff-free trade of agricultural goods between the UK and Australia on UK farmers and crofters?
There will be more UK export opportunities for our food and drink industry with the removal of all Australia tariffs. We have considered the impact of additional market access for beef and lamb on UK farmers, which has been balanced by a lengthy 15-year staging period. An independently scrutinised impact assessment will be published prior to implementation.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern raised about the impact of imports from countries with similar trade terms as Australia, focusing specifically on the environmental and social aspects of crofting.
Patrick Krause, chief executive of the Scottish Crofting Foundation, recently made the point that the real risk for Scottish crofters from the Australia deal comes from the fact that other countries with which we do trade deals will want the same good terms that we have given to Australia. How much of that does the Minister think will be said of the products that will be imported to replace crofted lamb?
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his engagement and his interest. I have engaged extensively with Scottish farmers, crofters and Martin Kennedy of the National Farmers Union Scotland. On the impact of Australian beef and lamb imports, we think it is very unlikely that there will be a surge in imports into this country. Currently, there are strong incentives for Australia to sell into Asia. The lamb quota is not currently fully used. Beef production prices in Asia are twice what they are in the UK. Australia exports 75% of its beef and 70% of its lamb to Asia.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific risk from similar trade terms for other countries was not directly addressed.
Response accuracy