Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
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 had discussions with the Welsh Government on the effect on the internal market in Wales of the UK Government decision to grant authorisation for use of a product containing a neonicotinoid to treat sugar beet seed in England.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The application for emergency authorisation of the neonicotinoid product Cruiser SB was made in respect of use in England only as there is no significant commercial sugar beet production elsewhere in the UK. It is not anticipated that the decision will have any impact on the competitiveness of goods from different parts of the UK or on consumer choice. Defra has not had any discussions with the Welsh Government on internal market effects of the decision.
Officials of the Welsh Government have been sighted on the Cruiser SB application and the decision. They have not flagged to Defra any issues about internal market implications of this application.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of establishing an independent body to protect racehorse welfare.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
More must be done to improve racehorse safety and welfare. Officials have been in regular dialogue with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), British racing's governing and regulatory body, about the safety and welfare of racehorses, and to understand what the industry is doing to reduce the number of fatalities. The Government welcomed the creation of the racing industry's Horse Welfare Board, which was formed in March 2019 and includes members from across the racing industry, veterinarians and animal health and welfare experts.
The Board is committed to doing all it can to make the sport safer and we have welcomed the publication of the Board's five-year horse welfare strategy "A life well lived". The strategy contains 20 recommendations for the industry aimed at ensuring the best possible safety and quality of life for racehorses.
Whilst the Government does not consider it would be appropriate at this stage to appoint an independent body for racehorse welfare, my officials remain in regular contact with the industry and the Horse Welfare Board. We will be monitoring closely how the industry responds to the Board's recommendations so that the welfare needs of racehorses are met both during and after their racing lives.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) agricultural trades unions and (b) his counterparts in the Welsh Government on the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on agricultural exports.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government fully supports Welsh farmers and recognises the importance of Welsh agricultural businesses to the UK economy.
We are actively monitoring the impacts of COVID-19 and related control measures with significant input from industry stakeholders.
The Chancellor has announced an initial £330 billion will be made available to support UK businesses. He also set out a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19.
We acknowledge concerns about the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effect on agricultural exports and are working closely with key stakeholders from across the agri-food sector to help mitigate its impact. The National Farmers’ Union and the Devolved Administrations form part of Defra’s Food Chain Emergency Liaison Group (FCELG). This forum has and will continue to meet regularly to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the food and farming sectors across the UK, and what actions are needed to support the sector.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the level of food products imported from countries at risk of climate change.
Answered by George Eustice
No assessment has been made of the level of food products that are at risk of climate change and imported from other countries. Climate change occurs on a global scale, and the International Panel on Climate Change has stated that warming greater than the global average is being experienced in many land regions.
The UK imports approximately £50 billion of agri-food products per year. Of this, £35 billion of agri-food imports were from the EU27 in 2018. Defra has also published experimental statistics which estimate imported greenhouse gas emissions compared with emissions from domestic production, but this is not broken down by country or import type.
The Government is clear that more trade should not come at the expense of the environment. We will maintain and enhance our already high environmental standards whilst negotiating future trade agreements.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much and what proportion of exports of (a) beef, (b) sheep meat, (c) pork, (d) dairy and (e) poultry products were attributable to each devolved nation of the UK in each of the last three years.
Answered by George Eustice
Data at the level of detail requested is not available.
According to Defra analysis of HM Revenue & Customs regional trade statistics, UK exports by region over the last three years (2016 to 2018) were as follows:
Meat and meat preparations:
UK region | export value (16-18) | Share of exports |
England | £3.3bn | 63% |
Wales | £310m | 5.9% |
Scotland | £310m | 5.9% |
Northern Ireland | £970m | 18% |
Unallocated regional trade | £342m | 6.5% |
Dairy and eggs:
UK region | export value (16-18) | Share of exports |
England | £2.4bn | 48% |
Wales | £319m | 6.4% |
Scotland | £141m | 2.8% |
Northern Ireland | £1.4bn | 28% |
Unallocated regional trade | £706m | 14% |
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) tonnage and (b) value of (i) beef, (ii) sheep meat, (iii) pork, (iv) dairy and (v) poultry products have been imported in the last three years, by country of source.
Answered by George Eustice
According to Defra analysis of HM Revenue & Customs overseas trade statistics, UK imports in the last three years were as follows:
Beef & veal and beef products:
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Tonnes | 340,000 | 360,000 | 360,000 |
Value | £1.2bn | £1.3bn | £1.4bn |
The Irish Republic was the top import market for beef and veal, with 700,000 tonnes worth £2.6 billion over the three years. Second was Brazil with 80,000 tonnes worth £274 million. Third was the Netherlands with 60,000 tonnes worth £262 million.
Sheep meat:
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Tonnes | 90,000 | 80,000 | 78,000 |
Value | £345m | £369m | £373m |
New Zealand was the top import market for sheep meat, with 170,000 tonnes worth £790 million over the three years. Second was Australia with 32,000 tonnes worth £140 million. Third was the Irish Republic with 23,000 tonnes worth £78 million.
Pork, bacon & ham:
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Tonnes | 680,000 | 690,000 | 670,000 |
Value | £1.3bn | £1.5bn | £1.4bn |
Denmark was the top import market for pork, bacon and ham, with 690,000 tonnes worth £1.3 billion over the three years. Second was the Netherlands with 450,000 tonnes worth £890 million. Third was Germany with 360,000 tonnes worth £754 million.
Dairy products:
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Tonnes | 1,400,000 | 1,500,000 | 1,600,000 |
Value | £2.6bn | £3.0bn | £3.3bn |
The Irish Republic was the top import market for dairy products, with 1,300,000 tonnes worth £2.2 billion over the three years. Second was France with 840,000 tonnes worth £1.5 billion. Third was Germany with 700,000 tonnes worth £1.1 billion.
Poultry meat and poultry products:
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Tonnes | 860,000 | 850,000 | 860,000 |
Value | £2.0bn | £2.2bn | £2.4bn |
The Netherlands was the top import market for poultry meat and poultry products, with 700,000 tonnes worth £1.9 billion over the three years. Second was Thailand with 440,000 tonnes worth £1.3 billion. Third was Poland with 380,000 tonnes worth £929 million.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the (a) value and (b) proportion of market share was of imports of (i) beef, (ii) sheep meat, (iii) pork, (iv) dairy and (v) poultry products in each nation of the UK over the last three years.
Answered by George Eustice
Data at the level of detail requested is not available.
According to Defra analysis of HM Revenue & Customs regional trade statistics, UK imports by region over the last three years (2016 to 2018) were as follows:
Meat and meat preparations:
UK region | Import value (16-18) | Share of imports |
England | £16bn | 81% |
Wales | £378m | 1.9% |
Scotland | £532m | 2.7% |
Northern Ireland | £1.5bn | 7.5% |
Unallocated regional trade | £1.4bn | 7.0% |
Dairy and eggs:
UK region | Import value (16-18) | Share of imports |
England | £7.2bn | 77% |
Wales | £172m | 1.8% |
Scotland | £281m | 3.0% |
Northern Ireland | £511m | 5.4% |
Unallocated regional trade | £1.2bn | 13% |
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the (a) tonnage and (b) value was of exports of (i) beef, (ii) sheep meat, (iii) pork, (iv) dairy and (v) poultry products to each destination country in each of the last three years.
Answered by George Eustice
According to Defra analysis of HM Revenue & Customs overseas trade statistics, UK exports in the last three years were as follows:
Beef & veal and beef products:
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Tonnes | 120,000 | 110,000 | 120,000 |
Value | £393m | £440m | £474m |
The Irish Republic was the top export market for beef and veal, with 120,000 tonnes worth £426 million over the three years. Second was the Netherlands with 80,000 tonnes worth £273 million. Third was France with 28,000 tonnes worth £150 million.
Sheep meat:
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Tonnes | 78,000 | 90,000 | 83,000 |
Value | £327m | £385m | £367m |
France was the top export market for sheep meat, with 120,000 tonnes worth £509 million over the three years. Second was Germany with 40,000 tonnes worth £174 million. Third was Belgium with 22,000 tonnes worth 124 million.
Pork, bacon & ham:
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Tonnes | 220,000 | 240,000 | 240,000 |
Value | £293m | £347m | £354m |
The Irish Republic was the top export market for pork, bacon and ham, with 140,000 tonnes worth £363 million over the three years. Second was China with 120,000 tonnes worth £130 million. Third was Germany with 100,000 tonnes worth £108 million.
Dairy products:
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Tonnes | 1,100,000 | 1,400,000 | 1,400,000 |
Value | £1.3bn | £1.7bn | £1.8bn |
The Irish Republic was the top export market for dairy products, with 2,700,000 tonnes worth £1.6 billion over the three years. Second was the Netherlands with 310,000 tonnes worth £506 million. Third was France with 150,000 tonnes worth £407 million.
Poultry meat and poultry products:
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Tonnes | 340,000 | 400,000 | 430,000 |
Value | £358m | £404m | £438m |
The Irish Republic was the top export market for poultry meat and poultry products by value, with 160,000 tonnes worth £428 million over the three years. The Netherlands was the top export market by volume, with 320,000 tonnes worth £121 million over the three years. France was the third largest export market with 100,000 tonnes worth £107 million.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether Welsh produce covered by EU geographical indication schemes will maintain that status in the event of that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
UK Government recognises the crucial role that Geographical Indication (GI) products play in protecting the provenance and heritage of some of Wales’ best-loved food and drink products, and the economic benefit they bring to many communities and the UK as a whole.
GIs represent about 25% of UK food and drink exports by value and play an important role as exemplars of our quality produce around the world. In 2018, GIs were worth over £5 billion in export value. Welsh beef and lamb contribute significantly to this value. Defra are currently undertaking research to obtain more robust data on the value of GIs to local economies across the UK and we will be happy to share relevant findings with the Devolved Administrations.
Leaving the EU with a deal remains the Government’s top priority. This has not changed. Under the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK commits to protecting all EU GIs until a subsequent agreement enters into force. This will help ensure a smooth transition to the future relationship.
We are committed to establishing UK GI schemes that ensure existing GIs such as Welsh Lamb Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and Traditional Welsh Caerphilly PGI continue to receive protection from imitation and evocation in the UK after EU Exit.
In the event of a ‘no-deal’, the default position is that UK GIs will continue to be protected in the EU by virtue of being on the EU’s various GI registers. The current EU legislation means that EU GI protection is indefinite unless specific grounds for the cancellation of a GI are met. None of the grounds for cancellation relate to a change in status from Member State to Third Country. We therefore consider that under the current rules, the EU should not be able to remove the protection from UK GIs without reason.
Nevertheless, the UK must be prepared for all possible outcomes as we leave the EU. So it is right to advise UK GI holders to be prepared to apply as third country producers for recognition in the EU in the event that the EU does change its rules. This represents sensible contingency planning.
If the EU took steps to remove UK GIs from their registers, the UK Government would provide support and guidance to GI producers on this process as set out in our technical advice on GOV.UK.
I have discussed the GI scheme with Lesley Griffiths, Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Environment and Rural Affairs, at the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) EFRA meetings held on 5 July 2018 and 17 September 2018. The Minister of State also discussed the scheme at the IMG EFRA meeting on 24 June 2019. Defra officials meet regularly with Welsh Government officials to discuss GI policy development.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the Government has to replicate the EU geographical indication scheme after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
UK Government recognises the crucial role that Geographical Indication (GI) products play in protecting the provenance and heritage of some of Wales’ best-loved food and drink products, and the economic benefit they bring to many communities and the UK as a whole.
GIs represent about 25% of UK food and drink exports by value and play an important role as exemplars of our quality produce around the world. In 2018, GIs were worth over £5 billion in export value. Welsh beef and lamb contribute significantly to this value. Defra are currently undertaking research to obtain more robust data on the value of GIs to local economies across the UK and we will be happy to share relevant findings with the Devolved Administrations.
Leaving the EU with a deal remains the Government’s top priority. This has not changed. Under the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK commits to protecting all EU GIs until a subsequent agreement enters into force. This will help ensure a smooth transition to the future relationship.
We are committed to establishing UK GI schemes that ensure existing GIs such as Welsh Lamb Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and Traditional Welsh Caerphilly PGI continue to receive protection from imitation and evocation in the UK after EU Exit.
In the event of a ‘no-deal’, the default position is that UK GIs will continue to be protected in the EU by virtue of being on the EU’s various GI registers. The current EU legislation means that EU GI protection is indefinite unless specific grounds for the cancellation of a GI are met. None of the grounds for cancellation relate to a change in status from Member State to Third Country. We therefore consider that under the current rules, the EU should not be able to remove the protection from UK GIs without reason.
Nevertheless, the UK must be prepared for all possible outcomes as we leave the EU. So it is right to advise UK GI holders to be prepared to apply as third country producers for recognition in the EU in the event that the EU does change its rules. This represents sensible contingency planning.
If the EU took steps to remove UK GIs from their registers, the UK Government would provide support and guidance to GI producers on this process as set out in our technical advice on GOV.UK.
I have discussed the GI scheme with Lesley Griffiths, Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Environment and Rural Affairs, at the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) EFRA meetings held on 5 July 2018 and 17 September 2018. The Minister of State also discussed the scheme at the IMG EFRA meeting on 24 June 2019. Defra officials meet regularly with Welsh Government officials to discuss GI policy development.