EU-UK SPS Agreement: Food-related Standards

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Excerpts

Monday 18th May 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

As I have said, I am not able to give detailed information around the negotiations because they are ongoing and we do not have outcomes. However, I assure the noble Lord that issues such as gene editing are being discussed.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for visiting Northern Ireland, particularly the Balmoral show and fishermen at Ardglass, County Down, last Friday, at my request. She would have heard quite clearly the importance of fishing, whether in the catching or the processing sector. What steps are the Government taking to improve the supply chain sector in order to underpin our reliance on agriculture and fisheries in Northern Ireland?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

One of the reasons why I go to Northern Ireland regularly and meet with businesses, farmers and people involved in the fishing industry is to understand exactly what the Government can do to support those industries, and that includes the supply chain. It was a good discussion, and I am aware that my colleague, the Farming Minister, is meeting with fishers, fish producers and processers today. I intend to feed back the information that I got to support strengthening that supply chain as well as those who are at the front end of fishing.