Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail any representations he has made to the UK’s Department for International Trade in relation to the interests of the north’s agricultural sector in future trade negotiations.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: While the Department for the Economy (DfE) is responsible for liaising with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in respect of international trade agreements, the main point of UK Government contact for the agricultural aspects of the trade negotiations is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). I can confirm that the Northern Ireland position on agri-food matters has been made clear to the UK Government, namely that trade agreements must not see any change in UK SPS regulations or lowering of standards required of imports and tariff protection retained for sensitive agricultural products, particularly beef, sheep, dairy, pigs and poultry.
I will where appropriate, liaise with the Minister for the Economy and make representations to the UK Government to ensure that the interests of the Northern Ireland agricultural sector are considered in UK Government trade negotiations.
ENDS
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