The Liberal Democrats have proposed new legislation to
protect Welsh farmers from being undercut by food trade deals that do not meet
the UK’s environment and animal welfare standards.
The plans, set out in a private member’s bill from Liberal
Democrat Spokesperson for Rural Affairs Tim Farron MP, would require the
government’s Trade and Agriculture Commission to assess the impact of any new
trade deal on UK farmers, and guarantee that MPs had the final say on trade
deals initiated by the government.
This would include an assessment of the impact of new trade
deals on farming communities in each region and nation of the UK.
Farron’s Bill comes after concern was raised by farmers
unions and the Welsh Liberal Democrats that the Government’s new trade deal with
Australia will not include a Welsh-specific impact assessment.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS and Liberal
Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson Tim Farron MP
Commenting on his proposals Tim Farron stated:
“My bill will guarantee that MPs can act as a final
safeguard on future trade deals and ensure that the impact of any trade deal on
farmers is properly assessed so we can properly scrutinise it.
“Without farmers we cannot hope to tackle the climate crisis
or recover our depleted natural environment. We need to be protecting them, not
selling them out for a quick trade deal.
“The Conservatives have failed to ensure that our
world-leading standards are not eroded in the new trade deals they’re signing,
risking our farmers’ livelihoods.”
Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS stated:
“This Bill is exactly what we need to protect our farmers in
Wales. Welsh produce is among the finest and most environmentally sustainable
in the world, it should not be being sold down the river in quick deals to try
and masquerade failings by the Conservative Party.
“Yet both the Australian and New Zealand trade deals have
shown us the lack of Welsh-specific scrutiny our trade deals are going under.
Concerns that lower standard and cheap meat will flood UK markets and push
Welsh farmers out of business, damage rural communities and harm the Welsh
language are all at the forefront of people’s minds.
“Welsh Conservative MPs are repeatedly failing to use their
influence on their own party to stand up for Welsh farmers and producers. With
both the Australian and New Zealand trade deals showing the lack of
Welsh-specific scrutiny our trade deals are going under, Tim’s Bill will be
vital as the Government presses on to do deals with countries like the US,
Brazil and Argentina."
ENDS
The full Bill can be read
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