Oral Answers to Questions

John Howell Excerpts

Thursday 7th December 2017 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

As the hon. Gentleman knows, there are many ways in which Northern Ireland sets higher standards than we do in the rest of the UK, and I have always taken the view that we can learn a great deal from every part of the United Kingdom, not least the cherished Province which I love so much.

[John Howell (Henley) (Con)]

2. What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Trade on promoting UK agriculture in negotiations on future trade agreements.

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Michael Gove)]

Ministers and officials meet regularly to discuss the promotion of UK agriculture. Only last night I was talking to the Secretary of State for International Trade, to ensure that in the next 12 months we place the promotion of British food at the heart of our joint governmental endeavours.

[John Howell]

As the Prime Minister’s trade envoy to Nigeria, I recently hosted a visit of the Nigerian Agriculture Minister to the UK. Does the Secretary of State accept that the UK is leading in innovation and education in agriculture, and that we have a lot to offer that country?

[Michael Gove]

My hon. Friend has done an outstanding job as trade envoy to one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and there is much that we can do together to improve the transfer of technology between our two countries. Nigeria offers huge opportunities to our exporters, which I know my hon. Friend has done much to help to advance.