AQW 20400/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 15/06/2021
Answered On Date: 28/06/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail any conversations he has had with the Westminster government regarding off-shoring of carbon emissions, in sectors such as farming, as a result of trade deals.

Answer:

Trade agreements is a reserved matter and it is for the UK Government to ensure that issues such as off-shoring of carbon emissions are adequately addressed in trade deals. I have expressed to UK Government Ministers the need to ensure continued tariff protection for sensitive agricultural products and furthermore to take into account the fact that trade partners may not make the same commitments as the UK to address climate change. I am concerned about aspects of the agreement in principle recently concluded with Australia given the potential for increased imports of beef and sheep products into the UK.