The UK government has included an amendment to the Agriculture Bill in an attempt to address some of the concerns expressed by the agri food industry which fears being undercut by cheap food imports in post-brexit trade deals.

After a number of weeks of debate, the Bill was put into law yesterday (Wednesday).

Setting out the government position last Wednesday, Defra Minister Victoria Prentis told MP’s that the amendment was a “compromise solution”, and it was now time to move on.

The government proposal will require ministers to lay before Parliament a report that sets out whether a trade deal is “consistent” with UK standards. MP’s will have a 21-day scrutiny period before it is signed off by government.

The report will be prepared by the newly beefed up Trade and Agriculture Commission, which is to be put on a statutory footing.

That has been seen as a significant win by the farming industry, although their principle ask was for a requirement in law (via the Agriculture Bill) that all imports must meet UK standards. A House of Lords amendment to that effect was again defeated last Wednesday night by 331 to 272.

Power

Speaking during the debate, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart argued that putting the Trade and Agriculture Commission on a statutory footing did not go far enough.

Her views were echoed by other opposition MP’s who pointed out that they will have limited opportunity to block a deal, even if red flags are raised by the Commission.

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