Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Farming Sector: International Trade 2026-07-02

Thursday 2 July 2026 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Joe Morris asked about steps being taken to help the farming sector through international trade policies.
  • The Minister agreed that transition periods are vital during negotiations to protect farmers and food standards.
  • Harriet Cross raised concerns about the potential negative impact of poorly negotiated sanitary and phytosanitary agreements on farm profitability.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Joe Morris Lab Hexham
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question arises from concerns about the impact of international trade policies on UK farmers' financial stability.

Question

What steps he is taking through international trade policies to help increase the financial sustainability of the farming sector?

Answer from Chris Bryant

When it comes to international deals, we regularly fight determinedly for the farming sector and the wider food and beverage sector. Sometimes that means defending our UK farming and food standards, but just as often, we are able to secure significant advances; for instance, we have managed to secure increased access for British beef in the United States of America, for lamb and salmon in India, and for lamb and beef in the Gulf.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specifically address steps taken through international trade policies to improve financial sustainability, instead focused on defending standards and securing access.

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Q2 Joe Morris Lab Hexham
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Concerns about the impact of trade agreements on farmers, specifically regarding consultation processes and the necessity of transition periods.

Question

The effects on farmers and food standards are some of the most visible and felt impacts of trade policy, and obviously domestic agriculture is one of our sectors that are most sensitive to import shocks. Does the Minister agree that transition periods are vital when the Government are negotiating international trade agreements? Will he commit to making sure that the farming sector is properly consulted on implementation and transition periods for any agreement that is made, and particularly the sanitary and phytosanitary agreement, and will he work across Government on that?

Answer from Chris Bryant

I commend my hon. Friend—since he has been in the House he has raised lots of issues on behalf of the farming sector in his constituency. Some of those are issues that need to come directly to Ministers, so that we can take action on them, and this is one of them. We are very keen to make sure that the SPS agreement is negotiated in a way that really works for farmers in the UK, but I would also apply that to any free trade agreement we were to sign up to.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Acknowledged importance of proper consultation and working across government without committing to specific actions or timelines.

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Q3 Harriet Cross Con Gordon and Buchan
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Reports suggest a poorly implemented sanitary and phytosanitary agreement could significantly reduce farm profitability, affecting the wider agricultural supply chain.

Question

Farm profitability in the UK is incredibly low. As we know, for many farms it is less than 1%. Reports show that a poorly negotiated and poorly implemented sanitary and phytosanitary agreement could see a 10% hit to profitability for our arable farmers. That will have a trickle-down impact across the whole agricultural supply chain, impacting many businesses UK-wide. How is the Minister's Department working with the Cabinet Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that our arable farmers and the supply chain are not impacted?

Answer from Chris Bryant

We have regular conversations and at every stage, we are trying to ensure that we get the best possible deal that works for UK farmers. I just say gently to the hon. Lady that I was a Member in this House, representing a Welsh seat with many Welsh farmers, when the previous Government struck the deal with Australia and New Zealand. Welsh farmers, both in my patch and elsewhere in Wales, were absolutely furious, because it did not seem to consider their needs for a single instant.

Not addressed: Did not address how his department is working across government to ensure proper implementation of SPS agreements.

How: Previous Government'S Actions

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