Fay Jones MP has welcomed the formal launch of the new Trade and Agriculture Commission, unveiled by International Trade Secretary Liz Truss at an event in Whitehall today.
The Trade and Agriculture Commission provides expert advice to the Government to ensure UK trade policy secures opportunities for UK farmers and upholds high standards. It will advise on trade policy that will help boost Wales’ food and drink exports. The Welsh food and drink industry employs 23,750 people within food and drink manufacturing, with exports of £500m in 2019. Welsh food, from lamb to cheese is renowned worldwide for its high quality.
The Commission will ensure our high standards are upheld and our farmers are able seize new opportunities to export their goods abroad. This will help the UK agriculture sector to be amongst the most competitive and innovative in the world.
The Commission was established to bring together stakeholders across the industry, calling on their expertise to advise on:
- Trade policies the Government should adopt to secure opportunities for UK farmers, while ensuring the sector remains competitive and that animal welfare and environmental standards in food production are not undermined.
- Advancing and protecting British consumer interests and those of developing countries.
- How the UK engages the World Trade Organisation to build a coalition that helps advance higher animal welfare standards across the world.
- Developing trade policy that identifies and opens up new export opportunities for the UK agricultural industry – in particular for small and medium enterprises – and that benefits the UK economy as a whole
International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss, said:
“We’re stepping up our engagement with all the groups who have an interest in Britain’s agriculture trade policy. The Trade and Agriculture Commission will ensure the voices of the public and industry are heard, and that their interests are advanced and protected. It will advise the government on how Britain can remain a world-leader in animal welfare and environmental standards, and how we can seize new export opportunities for our farmers.
“This is about putting British farming at the heart of our trade policy and ensuring that our agriculture industry is amongst the most competitive and innovative in the world.”
Miss Jones, Member of Parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire, said:
"Championing local farmers is one of my top priorities as Member of Parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire.
"British consumers want high welfare produce and if our trading partners want to break into the UK market, they should expect to meet those standards. The manifesto I stood on was clear that in all trade negotiations, our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards will not be compromised.
"I am delighted that the Department for International Trade has established the Trade and Agriculture Commission. By forming this Commission, Ministers can ensure close engagement with the agriculture industry to help inform, shape and guide agricultural trade policy, so that this is reflected throughout our trade negotiations. I am particularly pleased to see the expertise of the National Farmer's Union and Farmer's Union of Wales represented on the Commission.
"I welcome the Government’s very clear commitment that any future trade agreements must uphold the UK’s high levels of food safety, animal welfare standards, and environmental protection."