Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of food imports produced to lower animal welfare standards on the competitiveness of UK farmers.

The Government shares the public’s high regard for the high animal welfare standards we have in this country; they are one of the selling points of our British farming industry and are greatly valued by consumers both at home and abroad.

As set out in the UK’s Trade Strategy, the department will not lower food standards and will uphold high animal welfare standards. Defra recognises concerns about methods of production, such as sow stalls and battery cages, which are not permitted in the UK. While production methods vary in line with different climates, diseases and other contextual reasons, we will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage and any impact that may have. Where necessary, the Government will be prepared to use the full range of powers at our disposal to protect our most sensitive sectors.