Free Trade Agreement Japan 2020-10-08
2020-10-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of new free trade deals on UK's agricultural sector and its high standards.
What steps she is taking to maintain the UK's (a) food and (b) animal welfare standards in future free trade agreements?
The deal with Japan will go further and faster than we had under the EU, including by increasing the number of geographical indications from seven in the EU-Japan deal to up to 70 in our new agreement. Furthermore, Japan has guaranteed market access for UK malt exports under an existing quota.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to maintain animal welfare standards were not fully addressed
Focused On Food Products Rather Than Animal Welfare
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP references a visit to Grange Hill farm in Bishop Auckland and the high-quality beef produced there.
How this and others deals she is seeking, such as the deal with the USA, will benefit British beef farmers right across our United Kingdom?
Our deal means that British beef going into Japan will have lower tariffs. We also announced last week that the first beef for 24 years was shipped from Britain to the United States.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific benefits and tariffs reductions were not detailed
Focused On General Statements About Deals
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Many constituents are concerned that a US-UK trade deal could undermine UK's high animal welfare standards.
Why the state of California can ban imports of products not meeting its animal welfare standards but the UK Government is unwilling to do so?
We are absolutely clear that we are going to stand up for our high standards in any deal we strike, including with the United States.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures or laws were not provided
General Commitment Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the prospects of Welsh lamb exports under new trade arrangements.
What message can she give me to take back to my local farmers that they will do well, thrive and grow?
Welsh lamb is some of the best in the world, and in the new Japan trade deal, Welsh lamb will be recognised as a GI for the first time. We got our first Welsh and British lamb into Japan for over 20 years last year, opening up a market worth £52 million.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific timeline or commitment to US deal was given
Focused On Japan Deal Instead Of Us
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Members of the Trade and Agriculture Commission are calling for parliamentary scrutiny on all future trade deals.
Can she guarantee this House a debate and vote in Government time on any trade deal with the USA?
We will have a world-leading scrutiny process, comparable with Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. That will mean the International Trade Committee scrutinising a signed version of the deal and producing a report to Parliament.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific confirmation on debate or vote time
Discussed Scrutiny Process But No Guarantee
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the lack of a ban on importing pork from US farms using sow stalls.
If she argues that bans are already enshrined in law, can she please tell us which law prevents such imports?
The right hon. Lady is talking about an animal welfare issue and, as I made very clear earlier, we will not allow the high animal welfare standards of our pig producers to be undermined.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific law identified
Repeated Commitment Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned that US pork imports could undercut British farmers if tariffs are dropped.
Will she please listen to reason and write into law the protection of all UK farming standards against imports that do not meet them?
Of course in any trade deal we will take into account our high standards, to ensure that our farmers are not undermined.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment to specific legislative action
General Commitment Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
In 2014, the then Prime Minister David Cameron promised Scotland all options of devolution were possible. The UK Internal Market Bill is expected to affect these promises negatively.
Tapadh leibh, Mr Speaker, in 2014, the then Prime Minister David Cameron promised Scotland that the choice was between independence and all options of devolution. Given that the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill is expected to do the opposite on devolution, can the Secretary of State guarantee that no attempt will be made to grab powers from the devolved nations for a UK-USA trade deal?
I can absolutely say that we are not grabbing powers; we are using the powers that were previously in the hands of the European Union to create a strong internal market across the United Kingdom. That it is vital, because Scottish farmers need to be able to sell their lamb and beef into England, Wales and Northern Ireland without impediment.
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Assessment & feedback
Guarantee that no attempt will be made to grab powers from devolved nations for a UK-USA trade deal
Using The Powers That Were Previously In The Hands Of The European Union
Response accuracy