Oral Answers to Questions

James Grundy Excerpts

Thursday 19th November 2020 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[James Grundy (Leigh) (Con)]

What steps the Government are taking to maintain food and farming standards in future trade agreements.

[Anthony Browne (South Cambridgeshire) (Con)]

What steps the Government are taking to maintain food and farming standards in future trade agreements.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Minister for Trade Policy (Greg Hands)]

The Government are firmly committed to our manifesto pledges to uphold our high environmental, food safety, and animal welfare standards. Under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, our current standards are taken into UK law, and the Secretary of State has now placed the Trade and Agriculture Commission on a statutory footing.

[James Grundy]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Government’s actions in strengthening the Trade and Agriculture Commission firmly dismiss the rumours that UK food standards would be compromised as a result of Brexit?

Oral Answers to Questions

James Grundy Excerpts

Thursday 3rd September 2020 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

We are reformulating the new strategic advisory group, which will contain some large business representative organisations alongside civil society groups, and we will be announcing that in due course. None the less, there is a difference between the detailed consultation that we need to undergo on the specifics of trade negotiation—for example, rules of origin for specific industries—and then the broader strategic advice on our trade policy. It is right that we are consulting the trade unions, the environmental groups and organisations such as the CBI on that broader strategy as well, and we will be announcing that in due course. The hon. Lady will not have to wait much longer.

[James Grundy (Leigh) (Con)]

What steps her Department is taking to engage with the food and farming sector as part of free trade agreement negotiations.

[The Secretary of State for International Trade (Elizabeth Truss)]

We have established an agrifood trade advisory group to ensure that farmers and food producers are involved in the details of our negotiations. We have also launched the Trade and Agriculture Commission to advise and inform on agriculture, trade policies and export opportunities for UK farmers.

[James Grundy]

Can the Secretary of State confirm that, contrary to persistent rumours in the media, chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef will not be on our supermarket shelves post Brexit?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I can confirm that, as part of the EU withdrawal Act, the ban in place on chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef remains after we leave the transition period on 1 January 2021.

Oral Answers to Questions

James Grundy Excerpts

Thursday 23rd January 2020 Commons Chamber

[Kelly Tolhurst]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that question. I would welcome any organisation that has the right policies in place to encourage all eligible employers to take up that offer; it is probably a matter for the House, but I would very much welcome this.

[James Grundy (Leigh) (Con)]

10. What steps her Department is taking to support more women to start their own businesses.

[The Minister for Women and Equalities (Elizabeth Truss)]

The number of self-employed women is at a record high of 1.7 million. We are cutting unnecessary red tape and reducing business rates, making it easier for more women to start their own businesses.

[James Grundy]

I am grateful for the Minister’s response. What grants are available for young women to start their own businesses, particularly in northern constituencies such as mine?

[Elizabeth Truss]

Starting a business is a fantastic opportunity. It provides people with power and control over their life, and it helps contribute to the economy and their family. We are expanding the start-up loan scheme, which has a particularly high take-up rate among female entrepreneurs. I strongly encourage my hon. Friend to talk to his constituents about this excellent scheme and make them aware of it.