Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions she has had on food safety and standards with her US counterpart during the UK-US trade negotiations.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
As part of negotiations with the United States, the Secretary of State remains in regular contact with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.
From 5-15 May the UK and U.S. conducted the first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement. The second UK-US Free Trade Agreement negotiating round began on 15 June and will take place over two weeks.
The UK is clear that it will not compromise on its high standards of food safety and animal welfare. Our position was restated by the Secretary of State for International Trade and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in a letter to MPs on 6 June 2020.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment he has made of the export potential for floating offshore wind technology to the UK economy.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
No specific assessment has been made of the export potential for floating offshore wind technology to the UK economy. The global offshore market is a significant opportunity for UK companies.
The Department for International Trade works with key UK suppliers, foreign Governments, sector focussed trade associations and procuring authorities to increase exports in the offshore wind sector.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
What steps his Department is taking to promote the sale of Scottish food and drink to the international market.
Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
This Department actively supports companies throughout the UK to promote food and drink exports. In 2017 UK food and drink exports totalled £22 billion, an increase of 7.7% in real terms on 2016. Scottish companies contribute significantly to our effort.