British Meat and Dairy Products

He expressed concerns about the expansion of Co-op supermarkets in Orkney and Shetland, threatening local shops that are crucial for food production. He highlighted that these local shops source from over 80 small suppliers, which cannot survive on supermarket margins. Carmichael also mentioned a consultation by the Scottish Government on animal transportation rules, emphasizing potential negative impacts on export journeys.

Mr Seely discussed agriculture on the Isle of Wight, praising its reputation for producing high-quality meat and dairy products. He proposed a mobile abattoir scheme to reduce slaughter costs and enhance sustainability. Mr Seely also suggested grants for shared facilities like milk storage and feed milling to improve competitiveness.

Carla Lockhart praised the quality of British meat and dairy products, stressing the importance of maintaining high standards in animal welfare, environmental protection, and traceability. She warned against compromising these standards for free trade deals and called for increased transparency to prevent sub-standard imports from overwhelming the catering industry. Lockhart also highlighted the need for government support in new markets through marketing drives, promotional activities, and investment in production chains, particularly in Northern Ireland where devolved administration needs backing. Additionally, she urged the Government to address issues arising from the Northern Ireland protocol, including removing trade barriers between east-west and restoring free livestock trade across the Irish Sea.

Mackrory highlighted the importance of farming in her constituency, noting that the south-west's livestock farms account for almost a third of all dairy and beef farms in England. She praised British red meat and dairy for having some of the highest welfare and environmental sustainability standards globally. Mackrory also mentioned the UK's low use of on-farm antibiotics compared to other European countries, attributing this to the country's climate. She discussed the role livestock plays in maintaining biodiversity and enhancing wildlife habitats.

The meat and dairy industries are facing significant challenges, including a loss of export markets to the EU and concerns over potential trade deals that may undercut British farming standards. The speaker highlighted issues such as low profitability without direct payments, workforce shortages in dairy farming, and difficulties for pig farmers due to export problems and soaring feed costs. He also called for updates to public procurement practices and support for sustainable agricultural practices.

The Member for Angus highlighted the challenges faced by meat and dairy producers due to the pandemic and Brexit, noting a 96% drop in dairy exports to the EU. He mentioned collateral damage affecting suppliers, such as higher tariffs on livestock feed imports and issues with export health certificates. The SNP MP also pointed out difficulties in breeding exchanges between Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Paid tribute to Somerset's farming community, highlighting the challenges faced by farmers in managing the landscape sustainably. Emphasized the importance of British beef and dairy production for carbon neutrality by 2040. Noted concerns over exporting difficulties at French borders compared to UK borders, requesting the Minister to explore ways to ease exports. Highlighted opportunities from the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership but stressed the need to maintain high food standards in trade deals.

The UK needs to increase and diversify its exports of meat and dairy products in new international markets. In 2020, meat and dairy accounted for 2.2% of UK goods exports and there is a trade deficit in all categories except mutton and lamb. There are opportunities to promote British beef internationally, particularly in Hong Kong, Singapore, Peru, and Canada, as well as Chinese demand for pork and French demand for high-quality lamb from the Cotswolds. The Department for International Trade has launched a new mentoring programme providing expert advice on trading internationally.

Jim Shannon congratulated the hon. Member for North Devon on setting the scene and highlighted the challenges faced by farmers in Northern Ireland due to the Northern Ireland protocol, emphasizing the need to trigger article 16. He discussed the environmental impact of farming, stating that farmers are not to blame for greenhouse gas emissions. Shannon also referred to a Plantlife research report that praised the biodiversity value of pastures grazed correctly and called for increased use of British eggs in supermarkets.

Stressed the importance of British meat and dairy products, highlighting their role in landscape conservation and carbon storage. Mentioned issues with exporting from Scotland into Northern Ireland due to regulatory hurdles affecting animal welfare. Emphasized the environmental impact of importing food from countries like Brazil where cattle farming contributes to deforestation and water scarcity. Called for careful analysis of imported foods' production methods.

Graham congratulated Selaine Saxby on leading the debate and emphasized the importance of buying local quality meat, citing Gloucester cattle as an example. He focused on exporting British beef to south-east Asia, particularly Indonesia, where demand is growing at 7% annually. Graham raised questions about potential Indonesian demand for British beef, export capacity in the UK, compatibility with halal certification processes, and whether pursuing this sector aligns with interests in other markets.

Mr Double praised the resilience of farmers in his constituency, highlighting their high animal welfare and environmental standards. He mentioned that Cornwall is famous for its dairy products such as Rodda's clotted cream and cheese, alongside beef, lamb, and pork which support tourism. He suggested better labelling to encourage local food purchases.