Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what representations he has made to the UK Government on the proposed trade agreement with Australia.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: I have been clear that a trade agreement with Australia should see current standards maintained and that tariff protection be kept in place for sensitive agricultural products, including beef and lamb. Therefore I am concerned about reports of a possible zero tariff, zero quota outcome to the free trade negotiations with Australia. I have written to the Defra Secretary of State, George Eustice MP to set out my concerns in detail. I have also met with, and subsequently wrote to the Minister of State for Trade Policy, Greg Hands MP.
ENDS
Your MLA 