Oral Answers to Questions

Jo Churchill Excerpts

Thursday 12th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mark Garnier]

Yes, what about all those voters throughout the UK, 52% of whom voted for Brexit? I was a remainer, but we have to uphold the fundamental principle of democracy in this country, and it is the job of all of us in the Government to do our level best to embrace the opportunities—the optimistic opportunities—that Brexit presents.

[Jo Churchill (Bury St Edmunds) (Con)]

I thank the Minister for coming to my constituency and talking to my exporters and the Port of Felixstowe, and ask him to assure me that he took on board the takeout that they want us to be oven ready with regulations and so forth as we look to move out of the common market.

[Mark Garnier]

It was a great pleasure to visit Muntons in my hon. Friend’s constituency. Her constituency produces a huge number of ingredients that go into Scottish whisky, beer and any number of fantastic products across the country. It is absolutely right that in addressing the question of regulations going forward into a post-Brexit era we in this country maintain our incredibly high standards of regulation, including workers’ rights as well as food standards.

Oral Answers to Questions

Jo Churchill Excerpts

Thursday 6th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[Luke Hall (Thornbury and Yate) (Con)]

4. What estimate he has made of the value of the contribution of the food and drink sector to UK exports.

[Jo Churchill (Bury St Edmunds) (Con)]

10. What estimate he has made of the value of the contribution of the food and drink sector to UK exports.

[Dr Caroline Johnson (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con)]

12. What estimate he has made of the value of the contribution of the food and drink sector to UK exports.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mark Garnier]

The answer to my hon. Friend’s question exemplifies the type of tailored help the Department for International Trade can give. Working with our officials in the south-west and local producers and businesses, we have created the Great British Food programme, which is designed specifically to allow south-west food and drink businesses to interact directly with overseas buyers. We have already seen them working with the EU, Turkey and China, and since April 2016 we have won over £19 million-worth of business across more than 30 export markets.

[Jo Churchill]

As the Minister knows, food and drink manufacturing is an enormous market, particularly in my constituency. Issues over regulations, sampling and tariffs are among the concerns of global leaders such as Muntons, as well as some of my smaller exporters. Will he agree to meet me and them to discuss these issues further?

[Mark Garnier]

My hon. Friend had a number of such meetings when she brought her local chamber of commerce down to London, and I believe that Muntons was part of that. She is absolutely right, however, to say that regulations, sampling and tariffs are an important part of doing trade deals, and it is important that we maintain those standards ourselves as well. It is absolutely the job of the Department for International Trade to interact with those people who need help at any level, and I would be very happy to visit my hon. Friend’s constituency and meet not only Muntons but others as well.