Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has pressed the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to ensure that British farmers can see free trade agreements “not just as threats but opportunities too”.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Carmichael highlighted the resources of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which invests heavily in promoting US agri-food products globally, and called for similar efforts from the UK government.
Carmichael is chair of the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee.
Speaking in the House, the MP said: “The Secretary of State is right that any threat of an imminent increase in US beef imports in particular is clearly not the problem, but it has not gone away either.
“The US Department of Agriculture has a foreign agricultural service with 100 different offices, embassies and trade missions.
“They work with US farming groups around the world to promote their product, and they are not spending that money just to stand still.
“What will the Secretary of State be doing to ensure that our farmers have the same opportunities, so that they can see free trade agreements not just as threats but opportunities too?”
Responding for the government, Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle MP said:
“As I said, striking trade deals is vital. That is why we put so much energy into it and have had so much success, and there will be more to come.
“It is very important that the whole British economy and government make sure that we exploit the full opportunities that all these agreements offer.
“The Department for Business and Trade has embedded highly talented trade experts right across the world, and they are trying to do just that on the frontline of all the economic opportunities we perceive around the world, and that includes agriculture,” Kyle added.
“If there are specific areas where the right hon. member perceives that the agricultural sector, either in his patch or across the United Kingdom, has an opportunity that is not yet being exploited, I want to hear from and work with him to make sure that British farmers benefit.”
Reacting after the exchange, Carmichael said: “I am glad to have a positive answer from the minister on this but I hope that will be followed up by greater efforts as well.
“Growing our agricultural exports does not happen by chance and trade deals are only part of the equation.
“The government should drive this growth by expanding our network of agri-food experts in target markets – and encouraging industry to do the same.
“That is how we turn our farmers and food producers into winners from our trade relations.”
