Asked by: Emily Thornberry (Labour - Islington South and Finsbury)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to Footnote 2 of Annex 14-B of the UK-Japan CEPA, for which (a) agricultural products, and (b) alcoholic beverages the Government has to date received notifications from the Japanese authorities informing them of the completion of domestic procedures required to designate those items as having protected geographical indication status, in accordance with Chapter 14, Section B, Sub-Section 3 of that agreement.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) currently secures the protection of the following UK Geographical Indications (GIs) in Japan: Stilton White Cheese, Stilton Blue Cheese, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese, Scottish Farmed Salmon, Irish Whiskey/Whisky, Irish Cream, Scotch Whisky.
Asked by: Emily Thornberry (Labour - Islington South and Finsbury)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, which UK alcoholic beverages are currently (a) designated as having full geographical indication status in Japan, or (b) awaiting the completion of domestic procedures in Japan prior to the designation of protected geographical indication status, in accordance with Chapter 14, Section B, Sub-Section 3 and Footnote 2 of Annex 14-B of the UK-Japan CEPA.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) currently secures the protection of the following UK Geographical Indications (GIs) in Japan: Stilton White Cheese, Stilton Blue Cheese, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese, Scottish Farmed Salmon, Irish Whiskey/Whisky, Irish Cream, Scotch Whisky.
Asked by: Emily Thornberry (Labour - Islington South and Finsbury)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, which UK cheese products are currently (a) designated as having full geographical indication status in Japan, or (b) awaiting the completion of domestic procedures in Japan prior to the designation of protected geographical indication status, in accordance with Chapter 14, Section B, Sub-Section 3 and Footnote 2 of Annex 14-B of the UK-Japan CEPA.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) currently secures the protection of the following UK Geographical Indications (GIs) in Japan: Stilton White Cheese, Stilton Blue Cheese, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese, Scottish Farmed Salmon, Irish Whiskey/Whisky, Irish Cream, Scotch Whisky.
Asked by: Edward Timpson (Conservative - Eddisbury)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
What recent steps her Department has taken to support British farmers and food producers to increase their global sales.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The UK’s farming, food and drink products are a source of pride, whether it be Scotch whisky, Welsh lamb, or other iconic products from across the country. Our new trade deals are unlocking new markets and opportunities for this important industry. Our ‘Open Doors’ campaign offers a wide range of support such as exporting masterclasses, a flagship mentoring programme and matching buyers with sellers to ensure more British produce is sold overseas.
Asked by: Jonathan Lord (Conservative - Woking)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent progress her Department has made in resolving trade disputes between the UK and the US on large civil aircraft.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK has struck an historic deal with the US on the Airbus-Boeing disputes, which comes six months after the UK made the first move to de-escalate the conflict by suspending retaliatory tariffs.
The arrangement will maintain for five years the suspension of harmful retaliatory tariffs, which hit producers of iconic UK goods such as cashmere, machinery, and single-malt Scotch whisky, and it establishes a framework for continued cooperation.
The UK and US will now work together to put the arrangement into practice and strengthen their collaborative and constructive relationship in the large civil aircraft sector.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Melton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effect of geographical indications (GIs) on local economies; and what assessment his Department has made of the effect of GIs on the (a) rate of employment in areas with GIs, (b) median wage in areas with GIs compared to areas without GIs and (c) price stability of GI products compared to similar products without GI status.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
Whilst the Government has not undertaken an assessment of the impact of geographical indications (GI) on local economies, we are aware from industry partners that they play an important role in retaining jobs and historically important skills in rural areas. For example, we understand that the Cornish Pasty (protected GI) industry employs 2,000 people and contributes over £65 million to the local economy. The Scotch Whisky Association estimates that more than 10,000 people are directly employed in the Scotch Whisky industry in Scotland and over 40,000 jobs across the UK are supported by the industry which provides £5.5bn in gross value added to the UK economy.
Asked by: John Lamont (Conservative - Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what progress she has made with the US Administration on making the temporary suspension of tariffs on Scotch whisky, cashmere and other products permanent.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
HM Government is focused on an ambitious programme of bilateral talks with the US during the four-month tariff suspension, and is making progress towards a settlement that works for the whole of the UK and keeps harmful tariffs off.
The Secretary of State for International Trade engages with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai on this issue at every opportunity, and both are committed to finding a fair and permanent settlement to the disputes, that paves the way for an even stronger trading relationship.
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll and Bute)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of a differential duty rate on administration costs for (a) producers and (b) retailers of Scotch whisky.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
The Treasury is considering the merits of differentiating products based on the place of retail as part of its alcohol duty review. Officials are working closely with HMRC to assess the practical implications of potential options and the Treasury will provide further updates in due course.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
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 reasons for the decrease in the export to the EU of (a) whisky, (b) cheese and (c) beef; and what steps her Department will take to tackle the decline in sales of those products to the EU.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
A unique combination of factors, including Covid lockdowns across Europe, and businesses adjusting to a new trading relationship, made it inevitable that exports of cheese and beef to the EU, would be lower during the first quarter of this year compared to last year.
The Government has always been clear that there would be new processes to export to the EU from 1 January 2021. We continue to work closely with traders and have provided extensive advice to support businesses as they adjust to the new arrangements.
The reduction in the export value of whisky to the EU was principally due to Covid-19 restrictions limiting demand from the hospitality sector. Excluding non-EU Europe, which saw a slight increase in exports, the EU saw the lowest percentage decline in exports of Scotch Whisky compared to other global regions. However, as the largest export market for whisky, the Government is working with industry to mitigate other more recent factors which may hinder exports to the EU, such as where EU member states have been requesting additional certification for whisky and other food and drink products.
Asked by: Emily Thornberry (Labour - Islington South and Finsbury)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, for what reason her Department's policy on retaliatory tariffs against the US differs in relation to the (a) steel and aluminium and (b) Boeing-Airbus dispute.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK Government is committed to resolving both issues to defend UK industry and jobs.
The s.232 tariffs placed on the UK by the US are World Trade Organisation (WTO)-inconsistent and damaging to our steel and aluminium industry. It is important to retain our rebalancing measures to defend our economic interests and uphold the rules-based international trading system. If the US removes these tariffs, we will remove our rebalancing measures.
The retaliatory tariffs from the Boeing-Airbus disputes were awarded by the WTO, and we have agreed a four-month mutual suspension that benefits key UK industries like Scotch Whisky, Irish Whiskey, pork, construction vehicles, cashmere, cheese and others, and creates space to reach a negotiated settlement.