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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will ban imports of lamb meat from territories which allow routine castration and tail docking of lambs.

The Government shares the public’s high regard for the UK’s environmental protections, food standards and animal welfare.

As set out in the UK’s Trade Strategy, the Government will not lower food standards and will uphold high animal welfare standards. While production methods vary in line with different climates, diseases, and other contextual reasons, this Government will always consider whether overseas goods benefit from an unfair advantage and any impact on UK producers. Where necessary, the Government will use the full range of powers at government’s disposal, including permanent quotas, exclusions and safeguards.