Oral Answers to Questions

Simon Baynes Excerpts

Thursday 21st October 2021 Commons Chamber

[Dr Neil Hudson (Penrith and The Border) (Con)]

2. What steps her Department has taken to help increase global export opportunities for British farmers.

[Simon Baynes (Clwyd South) (Con)]

4. What steps her Department has taken to help increase global export opportunities for British farmers.

[Adam Afriyie (Windsor) (Con)]

10. What steps her Department has taken to help increase global export opportunities for British farmers.

--- Later in debate ---

[Anne-Marie Trevelyan]

Just as the Cumbrian farmers are doing well, may I say how proud I am of my Northumbrian farmers who, just across the way, are similarly producing some of the finest food in the world? My hon. Friend is quite right: the new Trade and Agriculture Commission will play an important role in scrutinising trade agreements after signature. Applications are being considered and we hope to be able to announce the membership and the details very shortly. The commission will be in place to scrutinise, first of all, the free trade agreement with Australia when we sign it.

[Simon Baynes]

Export markets are increasing for Welsh farmers as we look to the US market for lamb opening up once more. There is also the export success of farms in my constituency of Clwyd South, such as Knolton farmhouse cheese and the increased beef exports by the Rhug estate. Will my right hon. Friend redouble her efforts to ensure that future trade deals open up even more global markets for Welsh and UK farmers?

[Anne-Marie Trevelyan]

Wales produces some of the UK’s most iconic food products and we have already unlocked new markets to increase opportunities—for example, gaining access for UK lamb, poultry and beef to Japan. We want to unlock even more opportunities for Welsh farmers and exporters and we will be working closely with the Welsh farming industry as we seek to do so.