Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
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) Cabinet colleagues and (b) the Northern Ireland Executive on future arrangements for any checks on the shipment of food and animal products from Northern Ireland to Great Britain under Northern Ireland Protocol of the EU Withdrawal Agreement; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Baroness Prentis of Banbury
As part of usual Government business, the Environment Secretary has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues and members of the Northern Ireland Executive (NIE) on the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, including the elements relating to the movements of agri-food and animal products.
On 20th May, we published the Command Paper, The UK’s Approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol (CP226).
We have always been clear that checks on live animals and agri-food will be needed for goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, building on what already happens at ports like Larne and Belfast. The Government is taking this forward with the NIE. We want to ensure new administrative procedures are streamlined and do not affect the flow of trade. The engagement forum announced in the Command Paper will enable business to put forward proposals in this regard.
There will be no new regulatory checks or export declarations as goods leave Northern Ireland for Great Britain. The UK’s Approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol reaffirms the Government’s commitment, first set out in New Decade, New Approach, to legislate to guarantee unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s businesses to the whole of the UK internal market and will ensure that this legislation is in force for 1 January 2021.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) ensure that farmers remain competitive in the UK market and (b) prevent the importation of cheap food products that do not meet UK food standards after the end of the transition period.
Answered by Baroness Prentis of Banbury
The Government is in regular dialogue with the food and farming industry in all parts of the UK as we forge ahead in our negotiations with the EU and other trading partners. We want a productive, profitable, resilient farming sector that is empowered to produce more of the high-quality food that is prized around the world and appreciated so much at home.
The UK is justly proud of its world-leading standards of food safety, animal welfare and environmental protection. These are the high standards British consumers expect from the food they eat and the high standards our hardworking farmers will continue to deliver. The Government’s manifesto made clear that we will not compromise on these high standards.
Our priority is a productive, competitive farming sector – one that will support farmers to provide more home grown food produced to higher environmental and animal welfare standards. The Government has committed to a serious and rapid examination of what could be done through labelling in the UK market to promote these high standards and high welfare goods.
Defra is working closely with the devolved administrations to agree the common frameworks that we will need for those returning EU powers that intersect with Devolved competence. The set of principles agreed at the Joint Ministerial Committee for EU negotiations (JMC (EN)) in October 2017 guide Defra in the development of these frameworks. This includes enabling the function of the UK internal market.
At the end of the transition period, the Withdrawal Act will convert all EU standards into domestic law. This includes a ban on using artificial growth hormones in both domestic and imported products. Nothing apart from potable water may be used to clean chicken carcasses. Any changes to these standards would have to come before Parliament.
The Government has also committed to a rapid review and a consultation on the role of labelling to promote high standards of animal welfare.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Northern Ireland Executive on the effect of the recent reduction in milk prices on dairy farmers.
Answered by George Eustice
The Secretary of State chairs regular meetings with the Devolved Administrations on issues of mutual interest. She has had an exchange of letters with the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Northern Ireland Executive in the context of preparation for Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 26th January.
Defra officials also maintain regular contact with their counterparts in the Devolved Administrations on a range of dairy issues.