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

To ask His Majesty's Government what priority they will give to pursuing a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Veterinary Agreement; and when they expect any such negotiations with the European Union to commence.

Defra in conjunction with the Department for Business and Trade will work to reset the relationship with our European friends to strengthen ties and tackle barriers to trade, while recognising that there will be no return to the single market or customs union.

We will tackle trade barriers through seeking to negotiate a veterinary / Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement with the European Union to prevent unnecessary border checks and help tackle the cost of food.

I will update this House in due course on the next steps.