Evidence session
Inquiry - UK trade policy: food and agriculture
Tuesday 6 February at 14.30, Committee Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Watch live on parliamentlive.tv
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee will hold the second session of its ‘UK trade policy: food and agriculture’ inquiry, which will this week see MPs scrutinise the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) the UK has signed since leaving the EU.
Committee members will also raise negotiations currently being undertaken, and examine the case of the stalling talks between the UK and Canada, in recent days.
The cross-party Committee will take evidence from academics and sector experts, who will be asked for their reflections on the Government’s approach to the trade agreements it is currently pursuing.
The session this week will be chaired by Dr Neil Hudson MP, who said:
“Our EFRA Committee will this week be continuing our major inquiry into UK Trade Policy and the details of international trade deals. As a veterinary MP it is a privilege to Chair the session this week, where we will be able to scrutinise standards in trade deals and the implications of trade policy and global events on domestic and international food security.”
The session will consider the implications of the UK’s recent accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), for the UK agri-food sector, questioning witnesses on what the major long-term strategic opportunities and threats to industry may be.
MPs will question witnesses on the impact to the UK agri-food industry and trade relationships of the current geopolitical situation around the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, where disruption to shipping has highlighted the vulnerabilities of geographically extended supply chains.
The session will also investigate the ongoing FTA negotiations between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and India.
Witnesses
From 14.30 on Tuesday 6 February:
- Professor Christopher Dent, Professor of Economics and International Business, Edge Hill University
- Professor Fiona Smith, Professor of International Economic Law and Associate Director for Agrifood Supply Chains, University of Leeds
- Shanker Singham, CEO of Competere and Academic Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs
From 15.30:
- Shubhi Mishra, Head of Food, Drink and Trade Promotion, UK India Business Council (*will be giving evidence remotely*)
- Nick von Westenholz, Director of Trade and Business Strategy, National Farmers Union (NFU)
- Helen Dallimore, International Sales Manager, Coombe Castle
- Sarah Baker, Head of Economics at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)
