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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what analysis his Department has commissioned on the effect on the UK farming sector of importing food with lower (a) animal welfare (b) environmental or (c) safety standards.

We have a very clear manifesto commitment that in all of our trade negotiations, we will not compromise on our high environmental, animal welfare and food standards. In all trade agreements we negotiate, we will stand up for British farming and aim to secure new opportunities for the industry. We will always ensure that UK free trade agreements (FTAs) are fair and reciprocal, and that any ‘opening up’ does not cause an unwanted downturn for domestic producers.

We’ve been undertaking an extensive range of research and analysis to support our negotiations in all areas. There has been no specific assessment commissioned on the effect on the UK farming sector of importing food with lower animal welfare, environmental or safety standards. Defra is considering the interests of all farmers, producers and consumers in its future FTAs. The Government has undertaken engagement with individuals and businesses across the UK when designing its future trade policy, including public consultations on the UK Global Tariff and on future FTAs. Respondents included businesses, civil society and the general public.

The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 retains our standards on environmental protections, animal welfare, animal and plant health and food safety at the end of the transition period. This provides a firm basis for maintaining the same high level of protection for both domestic and imported products.

In July the Government established the Trade and Agriculture Commission, which brings together stakeholders across the industry, and the four UK nations, using their expertise to advise on how best the UK can seize new export opportunities, while ensuring animal welfare, food safety, and environmental standards in food production are not undermined.