Damian has strongly welcomed the announcement this week that a Trade and Agriculture Commission is to be set up by the Government, subject to agreement on terms of reference.
In Parliament in March, Damian had pressed the government to “move forward with a trade and standards commission for food quality for UK consumers and for a fair playing field for our farmers”.
The newly-announced commission will consider the policies that the Government should adopt in free trade agreements that will ensure UK farmers do not face unfair competition and to support high animal welfare and production standards. It will consider how the UK engages with the WTO to build a coalition that helps advance animal welfare standards across the world. Developing trade policies that help to open up export opportunities for the UK agricultural sector will also be part of its remit.
Damian said:
“I had been calling for the formation of a commission before lockdown, and this is a really important step forward, helping to protect the interests of UK farming as we look to negotiate new free trade agreements across the world. Leaving the EU brings forward new opportunities for our agricultural sector, and we must be ready to take full advantage of that.
“Farming is an important part of our local economy here in East Hampshire, and I know many farmers and members of the public will be pleased to see their concerns addressed in this way.”
NFU Group Secretary for the Alton & Petersfield Branch, Richard Buer commented:
“I am delighted about the announcement that the government has agreed to set up a Trade and Agriculture Commission ensuring that they address the challenges of safeguarding our high food and farming standards. It is good for farmers, consumers and the environment and is something NFU first called for over 18 months ago.
“We have recently amassed a petition endorsed by over a million people in support of protecting our very high standards of food production and safety, husbandry and animal welfare against potential trade deals with other countries whose production methods do not always meet our standards. Because they do not meet our standards the cost of production is often less giving them a competitive advantage”.
The report generated by the commission will be presented to Parliament in due course by the Department for International Trade.
