MP warns of trade deals threat to farmers
TIVERTON and Honiton MP Richard Foord has slammed the Government’s ‘botched’ Australia and New Zealand trade deals, warning they risk driving already struggling farmers across the Westcountry out of business.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Foord drew attention to the impact of the trade deals in potentially opening UK markets to cheaper produce made to lower standards.
Warning of the threat these deals pose to 64,000 people across the
South West who work in agriculture, the Liberal Democrat called for MPs to have a stronger say in the terms of new trade deals and for protecting UK industries to be central to future negotiating priorities. His comments came in the wake of remarks by Camborne and Redruth MP George Eustice, a former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who criticised the Australian deal as “not actually a very good deal for the UK – the UK gave away far too much for far too little in return”.
The general debate granted by the Government was not legally binding, contrary to a more substantive debate as was requested by the Parliamentary International Trade Committee.
Speaking after the debate, Mr Foord said: “It’s clear that this Conservative government either don’t get it, or they simply do not care. Their botched trade deals are putting the future of local farmers here in Devon at risk, by allowing lower quality produce to flood our markets. It’s ludicrous that the Government expects them to compete when these deals tie not one, but both hands behind their backs.
“The trade-off for all the pain and misery set to be inflicted on rural communities by both of these deals? A whopping 0.11% increase to our GDP. This is a drop in the ocean compared to the huge turmoil and hurt it will cause for local farmers.
“Even the former Secretary of State has come out and admitted the deals are bad, giving away far too much. No wonder the Government would only give us a hollow debate, which lacked any chance for us to actually change their approach.
“The whole situation is a scandal. We must ensure MPs have the final say on not only the terms of trade deals, but also the negotiating priorities and red lines. This is the only way we can ensure our world-leading farming and fishing industries are properly protected.”