Oral Answers to Questions

Roger Gale Excerpts
Thursday 2nd March 2017

(7 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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George Eustice Portrait George Eustice
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While we remain members of the EU, we still have free movement, and fruit farms and farmers can still source their labour from countries such as Romania and Bulgaria. We are aware that some have raised concerns about agricultural labour after we leave the EU, and we are listening carefully to their representations.

Roger Gale Portrait Sir Roger Gale (North Thanet) (Con)
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Does my hon. Friend share the view expressed by the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation that leaving the EU can both help farmers increase their share of domestic products and improve animal welfare by preventing the import of goods produced under circumstances not permitted in the UK?

George Eustice Portrait George Eustice
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As my hon. Friend is aware, the Government have a manifesto commitment to place a stronger recognition of animal welfare issues in the design of future agriculture policy and to promote higher standards of animal welfare in international trade deals. We intend to implement those manifesto commitments.