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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made as to whether (1) beef, and (2) lamb, imports from Australia that do not meet EU rules will result in greater controls and inspections of all beef and lamb products entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

Australia is already permitted to export beef and lamb to the UK on the basis that we have determined it meets our strict animal health and food safety requirements. This is verified through checks at the border on the product and the accompanying veterinary health certification. The rules for the importation of products of animal origin (POAO) including beef and lamb into Great Britain from countries such as Australia is laid down in Retained EU legislation.

There is nothing in the trade agreement between the UK and Australia that will lower or compromise the UK’s high food standards and therefore no basis for increased checks on products entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain.