Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Food and Rural Affairs, asked the government to guarantee that farmers in his constituency of Westmorland and Lonsdale, who export 90% of their produce to the EU’s single market, "will not be facing crippling taxes and tariffs on their exports”.
In response, Secretary of State Theresa Villiers said “the government is clear that it’s seeking a free trade agreement with the European Union without tariffs”.
The NFU is pleased to hear our concerns are being voiced loud and clear in the Commons and we will continue to speak to MPs from all political parties to ensure that our members’ businesses thrive after the transition period ends.
The Department for International Trade has launched a consultation into the global tariff schedule, which is due to enter into force on 1 January 2021. Find out more here.
:: Watch highlights from Defra questions again in these tweets from @NFUPolitical:
Hill farmers in #Cumbria can always count on @timfarron to be a strong voice for them in Parliament and that was definitely the case #defraquestions today ???? pic.twitter.com/DlhFJ1H7qj
— NFU Political (@NFUPolitical) February 6, 2020
Countryside supporter @ChiOnwurah is right - we need a commitment in law that our farming standards will not be undermined by low quality imports #defraquestions pic.twitter.com/eTmMPK8kkN
— NFU Political (@NFUPolitical) February 6, 2020
Big focus on standards at today's #defraquestions The @DefraGovUK Secretary of State's comments are welcome but we need that commitment in law and the #AgricultureBill is the right place to do this! pic.twitter.com/ZkYnu3ODKr
— NFU Political (@NFUPolitical) February 6, 2020
Neil Parish also used the questions as an opportunity to raise fly-tipping:
As always, @CommonsEFRA Chairman @neil_parish gets it spot on about farmers being at the forefront of dealing with the challenges of fly tipping at @DefraGovUK questions today pic.twitter.com/hbT9YfAbqg
— NFU Political (@NFUPolitical) February 6, 2020