Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions her Department has had with (a) the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and (b) the Ulster Farmers Union on the provisions of the UK trade deal with New Zealand.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) engages closely with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure the agricultural sector is consulted extensively on our trade policy, including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs working closely with the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. As members of DIT’s Trade Advisory Groups, senior representatives of the Ulster Farmers Union were regularly consulted throughout the negotiations with New Zealand and at key milestones: before agreement in principle was reached in August 2021; at the point of agreement in principle in October 2021; and at signature in February 2022.