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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to reduce the (a) import and (b) sale of animal products from abroad that do not meet domestic animal welfare standards.

This Government is clear that we will not lower food standards and will uphold high animal welfare standards.

This Government will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage and, where necessary, will use the full range of powers at Government’s disposal to protect our most sensitive sectors.

Defra will champion British farming in future trade deals, ensuring they contain the right protections for sensitive sectors. For example, the recent trade deals agreed with India and the Gulf Cooperation Council both exclude pork, chicken and eggs from tariff reductions.