Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by the former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Rt Hon George Eustice MP, on 14 November (HC Deb, cols 424–6), what plans they have, if any, to review the terms of the trade agreement with the government of Australia.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement gives British companies unprecedented access to the Australian market. It is expected to increase trade with Australia by 53% and grow our economy by up to £2.3 billion in the long-run.
The Government is taking the necessary steps to bring this agreement into force as soon as possible so businesses can reap the many benefits. The Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill is currently proceeding through Parliament.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated value per annum of New Zealand lamb that will be imported to the UK as the result of the recent trade deal.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
New Zealand is already able to export its lamb to the UK tariff free via a sizeable World Trade Organisation tariff rate quota. Usage of this quota has been declining, and in 2020 less than half of this quota was filled. It is therefore unlikely there will be an increase in lamb imports from New Zealand as a result of a new deal.
Following the conclusion of negotiations, a full impact assessment will be published prior to scrutiny by Parliament. This will present the results of economic impacts of the agreement, including on UK sectoral output.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the economic impact of the trade deal with New Zealand on the Welsh lamb industry.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
Following the conclusion of negotiations, a full impact assessment will be published prior to scrutiny by Parliament. This will present the results of economic impacts of the agreement, including on UK sectoral output and employment. It will provide an assessment of the potential implications for the UK nations and English regions.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the National Farmers' Union about the impact on UK farmers of the recent trade deal with New Zealand.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
The Department for International Trade (DIT) has established an extensive engagement framework and has consulted regularly with the UK agricultural sector throughout the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with New Zealand.
Prior to the start of talks, the Government carried out one of the largest consultations ever undertaken to inform its approach to FTAs, including New Zealand. Throughout negotiations, the UK negotiating team has continued to closely consult experts, including in dedicated trade groups set up by DIT such as the Trade Advisory Groups (TAGs). The National Farmers Union (NFU) have formed part of these consultations throughout, and in May 2021 DIT Ministers held discussions with the NFU across the UK.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce a framework for national food and farming standards against which any proposed Free Trade Deal could be measured, as proposed by the Trade and Agriculture Commission.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
The Government published its response to the report of the Trade and Agriculture Commission on 21 October.
The Government response explicitly upholds and affirms the manifesto commitment to not compromise on the UK’s high food production, animal welfare and environmental standards for which our country is rightly renowned.
Our response makes clear that we will not pursue any trade deals that would undermine UK farmers unfairly or compromise these high standards and that all food imports must comply with our high standards. Nor will we put consumers at risk from unsafe food which does not meet those high standards.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps are being taken by ministers in the Department for International Trade to explain to future trading partners the animal welfare and environmental standards which will apply to any future trade deals.
Answered by Baroness Fairhead
Conversations with our trading partners about our future trading arrangements are at an early stage, and it is too soon to say what will be covered in future deals. However, we are very clear that future agreements must uphold our high animal welfare and environmental standards.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much additional business has been generated for the UK food and drinks industry since the latest export drive was launched.
Answered by Lord Price
Promoting food and drink exports is a high priority for Government. Under the International Action Plan which ran from 2013, the Government supported over 4000 companies to secure more than £1bn of new exports. This helped exports for the sector to reach £18.2bn in 2015. A refreshed International Action Plan for Food and Drink was launched in October 2016 and will provide fresh impetus for the coming years.