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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential economic impact on British independent pig farmers of Spanish pork imports being diverted into the UK market following Spain’s loss of Chinese export contracts due to African Swine Fever; and what safeguards or tariffs can be deployed under current trade frameworks to prevent domestic producers from being undercut by state-subsidised or market-distorted foreign imports.

The Government routinely monitors imports of sensitive agricultural products for any unforeseen surges that could impact domestic industry. Imports from Spain currently account for 9.5% of UK pigmeat imports on a country-of-origin basis.

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement – as is usual in trade agreements - confirms that both parties retain rights on trade remedies, including anti-dumping measures and WTO safeguards under GATT Article XIX. The Trade Remedies Authority investigates cases where imports may cause serious injury to domestic industries.

The UK also maintains robust sanitary and phytosanitary controls; in cases such as African Swine Fever, import restrictions and certification requirements apply.