Key Facts

• Financial privilege is engaged by Lords amendments 3, 4, 18, and 30.
• Amendment 18 would establish a Trade and Agriculture Commission but was deemed disagreed due to financial implications not authorised.
• Standing Order No. 78 paragraph 3 mandates the disagreement ruling.
• The government allocated £63 million to local authorities for direct support to people in need.
• A further £16 million was given to frontline charities aiding food distribution.
• The frequency of food security reporting will be reduced from five years to three years through Lords amendments 5 to 8.
• The Minister is cautious about the drafting of Lords amendment 11, which aims to protect human health by regulating pesticide use.
• The Minister reiterates the Government's commitment to high environmental protection, animal welfare, and food standards in trade negotiations.
• Existing import standards are enshrined in legislation such as the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020.
• Independent food regulators, including the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland, ensure that all food imports meet UK product rules and regulations.
• Lords amendment 16 includes conditions for continuity and new agreements.
• The Government will uphold high standards in future trade deals, particularly focusing on animal welfare.
• There is a full scrutiny process with parliamentary committees reviewing agreements before they are laid in Parliament under the CRaG procedure for 21 sitting days.
• The International Trade Committee receives copies of deals and provides reports.
• Impact assessments covering economic, social, environmental, and animal welfare aspects are shared confidentially with at least 10 sitting days' notice.
• DEFRA runs supply chain advisory groups like the arable group, livestock group, and food and drink panel.
• The Trade and Agriculture Commission has met six times and established three working groups covering consumers, competitiveness, and standards.
• The amendments could jeopardise 19 currently unsigned agreements worth millions in trade.
• Whisky exports to Canada are worth £96 million, potato exports to Egypt are worth £30 million, and milk powder exports to Algeria are worth £21 million.
• Agriculture produces about 10% of emissions.
• Amendment 2 requires publication of multi-annual financial assistance plans at least 12 months before implementation.
• First report on food security will be published by Christmas next year, 2021.
• Devolved Administrations have given legislative consent to the Bill.
• Labour supports legal guarantees for high UK food and farming standards in the Agriculture Bill.
• The amendment to strengthen the Trade and Agriculture Commission is expected to be redrafted in the Lords.
• Luke Pollard advocates for a legal lock on food standards post-Brexit.
• Farmers' votes are not guaranteed and need to be won through strong support and delivery.
• The Government has nine trade deals with sub-Saharan African countries that need to be renewed by December 31st.
• Lower tariffs for developing countries are set through the generalised scheme of preferences in exchange for protection of human rights, labour rights and the environment.
• The amendment seeks to address animal welfare and environmental protections beyond EU import restrictions.
• The Labour Party has voted against the Bill at every opportunity to protect farmers from being undercut by lower standard imports.
• There is cross-party concern about food standards but agreement on changing farm support methods in the Bill.
• The UK's food processing industry is worth £120 billion and 60% of processed food is produced under high standards.
• Brazil has burned down 2.5 million acres of rainforest this year.
• The Trade Bill is not seen as an appropriate place for amending trade-related issues related to agriculture.
• The speaker believes in the importance of animal welfare and environmental protection in trade deals.
• The Government has struck down several amendments related to food standards, organics, pesticides, and a national food strategy.
• Amendments 10 to 15 and 20 to 29 mean the UK Government will have to gain consent of devolved authorities in further areas such as organics.
• A letter signed by dozens of organizations was sent to Scottish MPs pleading for higher food standards.
• The government has responded positively to Lords amendment 275 with a public consultation in autumn.
• Amendment 16 aims for concrete legal protections for food import standards similar to the Commons amendment tabled by the EFRA Committee.
• The MP believes that fair terms of trade for high standards in British agriculture cannot be separated from farming and environment legislation.
• The statement criticizes the CAP for impeding productivity and stifling innovation.
• Amendment 16 obligates that any agri-environmental food import must be produced under standards equivalent to or exceeding those in the UK.
• Concerns are raised about the practicality of enforcing such stringent environmental standards on developing countries.
• The Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) will not be available to all UK farmers until 2028.
• 85% of livestock farmer profitability is based on BPS payments.
• Amendment 16 supports British values in animal welfare, parliamentary scrutiny and environmental standards.
• George Freeman is an MP from a very agricultural constituency.
• The Agriculture Bill aims to take control of farming policy back from the EU after 40 years.
• Lord Curry tabled an amendment in the House of Lords for a Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC).
• The WTO prohibits using animal welfare and food production standards as legal bases for trade restrictions.
• The amendments are supported by peers, farmers, consumer groups, and the majority of the British public.
• Legislating for high food standards would benefit UK citizens' health and environment.
• The Future British Standards Coalition advises on maintaining global trade and environmental benefits.
• The EU does not require its trade partners to adopt all its environmental and food standards.
• The UK already bans chicken washed in chlorinated water and growth hormones in beef.
• Developing countries might lack the necessary bureaucratic infrastructure to meet UK reporting requirements.
• Evans has lived with agriculture issues for 67 years.
• The Bill aims to continue raising British farming standards through purchasing public goods.
• Variable tariffs are proposed to make clear to trading partners that non-adherence to high standards will lead to raised tariffs on their goods.
• Scottish Tory voters backed calls for food standards maintenance by 95% according to Which?.
• The Agriculture Bill faces criticism for its perceived opposition to constituents' ambitions for food safety, environmental protection, and animal welfare.
• Trade deals with the US are seen as prioritizing economic interests over maintaining high food standards.
• The UK imports more than £47 billion-worth of food.
• The amendments could restrict trade with countries like Denmark regarding their farming practices.
• British pig industry was decimated after banning sow stalls and tethers, while Europe did not ban them.
• The speaker thanks the Minister for providing information to Members about the Bill.
• There has been fear-mongering regarding chlorinated chicken and hormone-injected beef imports, which the MP states would not occur without parliamentary approval.
• The MP requests a commitment on labelling from the Government.
• One third of land in Sheffield Hallam is agricultural.
• Ministers claim that trading standards will be world-leading after Brexit.
• Without amendments, British farmers are concerned about being undercut on food and animal welfare standards.
• The EU’s import restrictions apply to products that breach UK food safety standards but not those related to animal welfare and environmental protection.
• The previous common agricultural policy is seen as a failure.
• British farmers have some of the highest food standards in the world.
• An independent Trade and Agriculture Commission has been established.
• The amendment would require imported food to be equivalent to or exceed domestic standards.
• Current imports do not meet UK domestic production standards under EU rules.
• Over 1 million people have signed a petition calling for food standards to be enshrined in law.
• Conservative manifesto promised not to compromise on food standards in trade negotiations.
• Current legal protections for animal welfare and food safety have been carried over from EU law but can be overturned in secondary legislation without adequate scrutiny.
• The US and Australia are pushing the UK to accept lower-standard foods such as chlorinated chicken and hormone-injected beef.
• Over 1 million people signed a National Farmers Union petition calling on the Government to uphold high standards.
• The amendment demands regulations be introduced within a short 12-month timeframe.
• Agriculture is responsible for only 9% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.
• The National Farmers Union has its own 2040 net-zero target.
• Victoria Prentis reassures that chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-treated beef will not be imported into Britain under any circumstances.
• The Trade and Agriculture Commission is mentioned as a helpful tool for feeding into current trade negotiations but does not need to be enshrined in law.
• Amendment 16, which imposes conditions on new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), was disagreed with by the House.
• Mr Speaker deemed Lords amendment 18 disagreed to.
• Amendments 2-8, 10, 13-15, and 19-46 are agreed to.
• Commons financial privileges waived in respect of Lords amendments 3, 4, and 30.