Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Trade on the inclusion of intellectual property right protections for Orkney beef in a trade deal with the EU after the UK leaves the EU.

I meet regularly with Cabinet colleagues and discuss a wide range of matters. Geographical indications are important to our reputation as a great food nation. As we leave the EU, the UK will continue to abide by WTO rules on the protection of geographical indications globally, and we will prioritise continued protection of the best of our UK food and drink as we consider future trade opportunities across the world.

Countries outside the EU are already able to participate in the EU's geographical indication schemes when selling onto the EU market. In addition, the EU rules that currently govern the enforcement of geographical indications will be placed on a UK legal basis through the EU Withdrawal Bill.