The International Trade Committee will take evidence from UK
businesses importing fresh produce from developing countries on
Wednesday 9 May, in the latest session of its inquiry into the
Trade and the Commonwealth: developing countries. The session will
examine levels of trade in fresh produce, short and long-term
post-Brexit arrangements, and government support for trade with
developing countries.
The UK imports 62% of its fresh produce, and in 2016, around half
of this – accounting for 2.7 million tonnes – was imported from
non-EU countries. Examples of fresh produce imported from
Commonwealth developing countries include bananas, beans and
peas, and cut flowers.
The UK currently trades with developing countries, including
those in the Commonwealth, under the terms of the EU’s
Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), which grants unilateral
trade preferences to developing countries, and the EU’s Economic
Partnership Agreements (EPAs), which are reciprocal trade
agreements with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.
The level of access granted under GSP depends on the
socio-economic status of the country concerned.
The Government has committed to maintaining the current access
granted to least developed countries under GSP after Brexit, and
has said that it also aims to maintain the access currently
granted to other developing countries under GSP. It also plans
roll-over the EU’s current Free Trade Agreements, including EPAs.
In this session, the Committee will hear from the Fresh Produce
Consortium, as well as two businesses importing fresh produce
from developing countries. It will seek their views on the role
that the EU’s existing arrangements play in facilitating trade
with developing countries; the changes that they would like to
see in the short and long-term following the UK’s departure from
the EU; and what more could be done to co-ordinate trade and
development policy.
Wednesday 9 May
Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Witnesses:
From 09.45am
- Ian Michell, Technical Director, Flamingo Group
- Sian Thomas, Communications Manager, Fresh Produce Consortium
- Avnish Malde, CEO, Wealmoor
