During Questions to the Department for International Trade today, Fay Jones MP heralded the protection of twelve Welsh geographic indicator products in the UK-Japan deal, and called for Welsh products to be respected and protected in future trade deals.
Following the recent announcement of the UK-Japan comprehensive economic partnership agreement, Fay Jones MP asked what steps the Department for International Trade has taken to ensure that farmers and food producers in Wales can benefit from the UK-Japan comprehensive economic partnership agreement.
Minister for Trade Policy, Greg Hands MP responded that the agreement would benefit Welsh farmers through lower tariffs than would have been the case without an agreement and it also allows more UK goods to access preferential tariffs than under the EU-Japan agreement.
Signed on 23rd October, the deal is the first agreement that the UK has secured that goes beyond the existing EU deal, with enhancements in areas such as digital and data, financial services, food and drink, and creative industries, potentially increasing trade between the UK and Japan by over £15 billion.
The deal will also provide a boost for UK brands with protections for more iconic UK agricultural products, from just seven under the terms of the EU-Japan deal to potentially over seventy, including English sparkling wine, Scotch beef and Welsh lamb.
Miss Jones congratulated the Department for International Trade on the twelve Welsh geographic indicator products have been protected in the deal and asked the Minister to assure her that those products will be respected and protected in future trade deals, particularly with the US and Australia.
The Minister highlighted the protection of Welsh beef, Welsh lamb, Welsh wine, cider, perry, Caerphilly cheese, Carmarthen ham and others under the agreement. He then confirmed that one of the key objectives is to be able to sell Welsh lamb into the United States, as British lamb overall is not currently allowed to be imported into the US.
Commenting on the exchange, Fay Jones MP said:
“The recognition of twelve geographic indicator products from Wales in the UK-Japan agreement is a positive start to our post-Brexit trade deals. From English Sparking Wine to Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar, we have enviable produce across the United Kingdom.
“I am sure no one will be surprised that I am particularly pleased to see Welsh Lamb included in the list of products protected by this deal. It is also incredibly encouraging to hear that the Department for International Trade is prioritising the promotion of Welsh lamb into the United States and across the globe.
“We are standing firm in trade negotiations to ensure any future trade deals maintain all existing protections for our high standards of food safety and animal welfare, and I look forward to the outcome of ongoing trade negotiations with the United States and Australia."