National Food Strategy Report Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateLord Curry of Kirkharle
Main Page: Lord Curry of Kirkharle (Crossbench - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Curry of Kirkharle's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(2 years, 9 months ago)
Lords ChamberI entirely understand the points the noble Baroness makes. These are matters for other departments in government. We are working with them as part of our response to this important piece of work by Henry Dimbleby in the development of the food strategy. It will not just be something produced by my department; it will draw in all those issues from across government.
My Lords, a key recommendation of the Dimbleby report was that meaningful standards should be applied to imported food, consistent with our own domestic standards. Can the Minister confirm that the Government will support that recommendation? If so, how will it be applied retrospectively to the free trade deals with Australia and New Zealand?
My Lords, the UK Government have made a clear commitment that, in all our trade negotiations, we will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards. All agricultural products imported into the UK, including under free trade agreements, must continue to comply with our existing import requirements.