Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for International Trade on ensuring parity of (a) animal welfare and (b) environmental standards in food production in future trade deals.

The Secretary of State regularly discusses a range of issues with the Secretary of State for International Trade, including on the UK's approach to different trade negotiations. Discussions cover a range of issues including animal welfare and environmental considerations

Our discussions are grounded in our commitment that the Government will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards in our trade deals

Environmental and animal welfare considerations continue to be central to our approach to agricultural trade in line with our manifesto commitment that the UK's high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards will not be compromised by our trade negotiations.