Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of a trade agreement with the US on the environmental sustainability of UK agriculture.

The Government’s negotiating objectives, published 2nd March, included an impact assessment on the environmental implications of a UK-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA.) We are clear that we will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards.

Recently, the Department for International Trade (DIT) and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) launched the Trade and Agriculture Commission, an advisory group that will provide recommendations to the government. The Commission will help further ensure that the UK’s trade policy fully considers our agricultural industry, including our commitment to maintain our high standards.