(Con):...The
Government’s manifesto rightly promised that
“in all of our trade negotiations, we will not compromise on our
high environmental protection, animal welfare and food
standards.”
That undertaking was recently reiterated by my right honourable
friend the International Trade Secretary when she set out the
priorities for future trade deals.
(Lab):...The
Government will probably claim that they have said enough on the
record in Parliament to avoid any concerns about their bona fides
in relation to standards. Indeed, if you read the response given on
5 February by the noble Lord, , you might be
convinced. He said:
“We will stand firm in trade negotiations to ensure that any
future trade deals uphold the standards that
farmers and consumers across the UK expect.”—[Official Report,
5/2/20; col. 1793.]
(Con): The Government are mindful of the need to show the
benefits of free trade and how these will level up prosperity,
growth and opportunity across every region and nation of the UK.
Ministers have consistently stated that any future trade
deals must be balanced and must work for UK consumers
and businesses. We remain firmly committed to upholding high
environmental, food safety and animal welfare standards now that
we are outside the EU. Several noble Lords sought reassurance on
that, in particular the noble Lord, . Upholding our country’s
interests will be always be central to the UK’s negotiating
approach and in all trade talks we will drive a hard bargain for
the British people.
The noble Lord, , raised the potential risk
to food safety standards. At the risk of repeating myself, as I
may well do during my speech, I can say that the Government
remain fully committed to upholding our high food safety
standards and high levels of public, animal and plant health
outside the EU. The Government will stand firm in trade
negotiations, to ensure that any future trade
deals live up to the values of farmers and consumers
across the UK...
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