EU-UK SPS Agreement: Food-related Standards Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Lord Trees
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EU-UK SPS Agreement: Food-related Standards
Lord Trees Excerpts(2 months, 1 week ago)
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Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
As I say, we talk regularly to farmers and other food producers. We are very aware that there will be impacts in some areas of realignment, and we are certainly looking at discussing transition periods.
Lord Trees (CB)
Can the Minister reassure the House that the scientific progress and eminence established in the UK on precision breeding, particularly of crops and animals, and in particular with regard to resistance to disease and environmental stressors, will be safeguarded in the current negotiations?
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
Clearly, we are discussing this area with the EU. One of the approaches that we have around the new technologies, whether you are talking about gene editing or novel foods, is that it is important that we are able to strengthen the UK’s credibility as an innovative regulator, bringing in these new technologies. We are very proud of our scientific community and of the work being done in these areas, and we will continue to support them to the best of our ability.