Topical Questions 2020-06-18
2020-06-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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The UK's trade relationships, particularly with Brazil, have raised concerns over deforestation due to financial backing provided by British institutions.
Between 2013 and 2019, British financial institutions backed Brazilian beef companies linked to Amazon deforestation. How can we ensure greater supply chain transparency to prevent such environmental degradation?
We are doing work on our supply chains, looking at vulnerabilities and resilience and making sure we have more transparency. This includes Project Defend and climate change negotiations leading up to COP26.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The Court of Appeal ruled that exporting arms to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen is unlawful. British-made tear gas has been used against protesters in the US.
A year after the Court of Appeal ruling, have all existing arms export licences to Saudi Arabia been reviewed? Does she condemn the use of tear gas and riot equipment in the US?
We have reviewed processes to ensure compliance with the consolidated criteria. We condemn George Floyd's killing but maintain one of the strictest arms licensing regimes in the world, always adhering to the consolidated criteria.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The Black Country is showcasing resilience and ingenuity in manufacturing.
What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that manufacturers in Wednesbury, Oldbury and Tipton can increase their exports?
Last week, I was at the Black Country chamber of commerce where they were enthusiastic about the Government's free trade agenda. A firm named Thomas Dudley expressed concern over Labour's opposition to the Trade Bill which would roll-over EU agreements.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The Minister mentioned discussions with Welsh sheep farmers.
What discussions has the minister had recently with the Welsh Labour Government about the potential effect of free trade agreements on Wales's economy?
We engage regularly with the devolved Administrations. Baroness Morgan is my opposite number in Wales and we have a good relationship on free trade agreements through the ministerial forum for trade.
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Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The Minister was asked about the opportunities for British agriculture.
Does the Secretary of State agree that global free trade presents more opportunities than threats to British agriculture, such as North Yorkshire lamb and Wensleydale cheese?
I completely agree. The first cargoes of British beef will leave UK ports this summer destined for America due to the lifted beef ban, worth £66 million to the industry over five years.
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Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
The Minister was asked about the progress of the trade agreement with Chile.
From the continuity agreement, exports to Chile have grown by 16% a year. As chair of the all-party parliamentary group for Chile, what further progress will be made to ensure that the trading relationship goes from strength to strength?
Chile is an important trade partner and a key member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership which we want to join.
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Q7
Direct Answer
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The Minister was asked about steps to ensure high animal welfare and import standards are kept.
What steps are being taken to ensure that high animal welfare and import standards are maintained, along with the opportunities of free trade agreement for farmers?
We are committed to maintaining our high animal welfare and import standards while ensuring that farmers do not face unfair competition. There are huge opportunities, such as with malting barley into Japan.
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Q8
Direct Answer
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A constituent wrote about his concern over high animal welfare and import standards.
Freddie Melville, 10 years old, wants to be a farmer like his dad. His father rears animals to a high standard but fears allowing lower-standard food into the UK would reduce what they are paid for their food. Can the Minister commit to enshrining welfare standards in trade legislation?
UK farming benefits from the US agreement as people there want high-quality, high-welfare UK produce.
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Assessment & feedback
Enshrining welfare standards in legislation
Deflecting
Response accuracy
Q9
Direct Answer
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The Minister was asked about the Food Standards Agency's ability to enforce high import food standards.
How well placed is the Food Standards Agency to enforce our high import food standards?
The Food Standards Agency is extremely well placed on this issue. The chair sent a letter to all parliamentarians about the important work of this non-ministerial Government department.
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Q10
Direct Answer
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The Minister was asked about the export of bullets, tear gas, and batons used on innocent protesters.
Has her Department authorised the export of any of the above in the past 12 months?
Quarterly, we publish exactly which export licences we issue as a Department. We are completely transparent and operate in line with the consolidated criteria.
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Q11
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the UK's animal welfare standards post-Brexit, following the Government's rejection of amendments to the Agriculture Bill.
Will the PM give a complete assurance that no goods from countries with less stringent animal welfare conditions will enter the UK after leaving the EU?
I can give my right hon Friend an absolute assurance that all current regulations with the EU will be transposed into UK law. However, we do not require other countries to follow our domestic regulations and currently import produce from Canada and developing world without such requirements.
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