I thank my hon. Friend for securing this debate and making
the case about food price rises. Is she not also concerned
that a no-deal Brexit might lead to trade deals that lower
standards, particularly with the US? The National Farmers Union has said that
it is concerned about US practices and that trade deals
should
“not allow imports of food produced to lower standards than
those required of British farmers”,
such as chlorine-washed chicken or hormone-fed beef. We might
be pushed to lower standards for cheaper food. That is a huge
health and safety issue for our children...
...The hon. Gentleman asks a good question. I meet
the National Farmers Union, the Food and
Drink Federation, UK Hospitality and the British Retail
Consortium every week to review their concerns and
considerations. We have established a good dialogue at a
senior level with those trade bodies and their members, but
it is fair to say there is still more work required with
small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly our smaller
and micro businesses. Some are prepared and some need further
information. I hope that he recognises that across Government
a far greater weight of activity is being put out to
encourage people to find out more about what is going on and
to engage in the processes. We are working very hard on that
but there is more work to do...
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