Free Trade Agreements 2021-06-10
2021-06-10
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP asked about the progress made on negotiating new free trade agreements.
What recent progress has been made on negotiating new free trade agreements?
We have signed trade deals covering 67 countries and the European Union, we are making good progress with like-minded friends and allies such as New Zealand and Australia, and we will shortly launch negotiations to join the trans-Pacific partnership, worth £9 trillion of GDP.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP inquired about the Trade and Agriculture Commission's power to scrutinise the Australia deal.
Will the commission have the power to tell Parliament whether her Australia deal benefits Welsh farmers, or is she breaking a promise made only seven months ago?
The Trade and Agriculture Commission will be up and running to fully scrutinise the Australia trade deal. It will look at whether FTAs are consistent with the maintenance of UK levels of statutory protection for animal or plant life, animal welfare, and the environment.
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Assessment & feedback
The power to tell Parliament directly was not confirmed
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP questioned the Secretary of State's commitment to high animal welfare standards.
Does she still stand by her principle that practices banned in the UK for animal welfare reasons should not be allowed elsewhere, and does this apply to her proposed deal with Australia?
I have always been clear that we will not allow our farmers, with their high animal welfare standards, to be undermined by unfair competition from elsewhere. However, Australian beef and lamb is already able to come into the United Kingdom under current import rules.
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Assessment & feedback
The principle was restated but without a commitment to action or policy change
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP provided an example of mulesing, a practice illegal in the UK but common in Australia, asking about its impact on tariffs under proposed trade deals.
Under her proposed deal with Australia, will tariffs be reduced on meat produced on farms that use the practice of mulesing?
We are still in negotiations about the final stage of the deal. I can assure you that British farmers with high animal welfare standards will not be undermined, and she should know World Trade Organisation rules prevent discrimination on production methods.
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Assessment & feedback
The question was directly avoided by changing to WTO rules instead
Changing Subject
Response accuracy