Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Douglas Alexander and Helen Morgan

Thursday 5th September 2024 Commons Chamber

[Helen Morgan (North Shropshire) (LD)]

T7. Rural businesses in the agricultural, horticultural and equine sectors in North Shropshire are struggling to trade with Europe. Will the Secretary of State update us on progress on making a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement and a veterinary agreement with the EU, so that they can trade without all the red tape that is bogging them down?

[The Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security (Mr Douglas Alexander)]

I assure the hon. Lady that the SPS agreement—the veterinary agreement, as it is called—is one of the priorities we are pursuing. That matter is being led by the Cabinet Office, as is the reset with the European Union. I assure her that dialogue is under way between the Department for Business and Trade, the Cabinet Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It is a priority. It will take time to reset, but I assure her that we are fully aware of the urgency.