Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Northern Ireland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Neil Hudson Excerpts
Wednesday 22nd June 2022

(2 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Brandon Lewis Portrait Brandon Lewis
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I will leave the hon. Gentleman to read the article, so that he can realise just how wrong his question was.

Neil Hudson Portrait Dr Neil Hudson (Penrith and The Border) (Con)
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Many of the issues related to trade and movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland are plant and animal-related. What progress have the Government made in trying to secure an arrangement between the UK and the EU on veterinary and sanitary and phytosanitary matters? That would address these issues and also enhance the UK’s biosecurity.

Brandon Lewis Portrait Brandon Lewis
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My hon. Friend makes an important point. One frustration with this failure by the EU to see the flexibility that we need is that, by resolving some of these issues, we could have avoided the need for us to legislate and to take this period of time to resolve things. Our legislation will resolve all of these issues and create a method that not only protects the EU single market, but, importantly, works for businesses, works for citizens, and works for all three aspects of the Good Friday agreement, dealing with those very issues that he raises.