‘Trade deals to aid dairy industry’

DAIRY producers across the West look set to benefit from future free trade deals with the USA, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, the International Trade Secretary has said during a visit to the South West.

Liz Truss visited businesses in Cornwall yesterday to see firsthand the agricultural exporting potential of the county and also discuss future opportunities for growth.

Her schedule included a visit to the Davidstow Creamery near Camelford, owned by Saputo

Dairy UK which has announced plans to launch its award-winning brand, Cathedral City, in the USA for the first time.

The cheddar will continue to be made in Cornwall with milk collected from 330 local farms, before being packed and shipped across the Atlantic.

Having gone on sale in Canada earlier this year, Cathedral City is expected to be available to buy in more than 2,000 American stores by the traditional Thanksgiving Holiday in November.

Ms Truss said: “Farmers and their high standards will be protected as part of any trade agreement we negotiate. I will not accept any deal that undermines or undercuts British farmers and makes them less competitive.”

Ms Truss said free trade agreements with countries such as the USA will allow buyers to access UK produce, removing or reducing current tariffs.

Last week, the UK secured its first major free trade agreement with Japan, although many argued it was on worse terms than the EU’s deal with Japan.