European Union (Withdrawal) Act

Henry Smith Excerpts
Thursday 10th January 2019

(5 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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Yes. As DEFRA Secretary, I suppose that I should say that a bird in the hand is worth more than however many we might find in the bush. My hon. Friend makes an important point. We have negotiated hard and effectively. We have not secured everything that we wanted, but we have secured a great deal of what we wanted. Now is the chance—I think the country wants us to do this—to unite behind this deal across the House and to deliver on Brexit in a way that delivers for every citizen.

Henry Smith Portrait Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)
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A few moments ago, my right hon. Friend mentioned live animal exports. Is it the case that if this agreement were to be approved, many of our constituents who want an end to live animal exports would find that that was not allowed?

Michael Gove Portrait Michael Gove
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Not quite. Live animal exports on the island of Ireland would have to continue, but we could further restrict—and, if we wished to, even ban—live animal exports from GB to the rest of the EU.