EU-UK SPS Agreement: Food-related Standards Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Baroness Butler-Sloss
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EU-UK SPS Agreement: Food-related Standards
Baroness Butler-Sloss Excerpts(2 months, 1 week ago)
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Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
Clearly, while negotiations are ongoing, I am unable to give guarantees, but I will say that we are working extremely closely with all those who would be impacted by the outcomes of any SPS agreement, particularly on agri-foods. We meet very regularly with farmers, producers, hauliers and supermarkets—I spent last week in Northern Ireland doing a big business round table with Northern Ireland producers particularly on this—so we are very keen to ensure that we hear from everyone who is likely to be impacted.
Baroness Butler-Sloss (CB)
Can the Minister say what the Government are doing to improve food production within the United Kingdom?
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
We are working very closely to encourage farmers to work with us, such as by applying for grants such as the SFI. The noble Baroness, Lady Batters, has done a report on food productivity, which is incredibly important if we are to increase our food security, and we are busy looking at the best way to implement many of her recommendations.