Carmichael urges UK-EU deal implementation period to protect British farmers

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today called on ministers to secure a 24-month implementation period of any sanitary and phytosanitary deal with the EU, to protect UK farmers. Mr Carmichael cited a recent report by the Andersons Centre for Crop Life which suggested that not having such an implementation period could lead to “steep drops in UK crop production”.

Mr Carmichael is Chair of the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, which today released a report on UK-EU SPS negotiations, giving recommendations on how best to tailor a deal that works for UK farmers and food producers.

Speaking in the House, Mr Carmichael said:

“I wonder if the minister has had the opportunity to consider the report by the Andersons Centre for Crop Life UK, that estimates that an SPS agreement with the European Union that was implemented without a suitable implementation period could result in steep drops in UK crop production and a total loss of income of up to £810m. That’s why the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee today is asking for an implementation period of 24 months.

“Will she impress upon her colleagues in the Cabinet Office the need for that suitable implementation period?”

Responding for the government, the Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Angela Eagle MP said:

“The first thing to say, and I hope he supports this, is that the SPS agreement is attempting to put right the Tories’ botched Brexit deal, which made it almost impossible for many people to export to our largest market. So the idea of this is that it should be a mutually beneficial new agreement to remove barriers. I know the Select Committee report came out last night, and we will certainly respond to it in more detail. We are aware of the potential downsides if wrong deals are done, but we will not sign a deal that is not in the UK’s interests.”

Reacting after the exchange, Mr Carmichael said:

“Both industry and the Select Committee that I chair have been clear that an SPS deal could be enormously beneficial to our food producers and consumers alike – but only if the right deal is struck.  

“For starters, we strongly urge the Government to aim for a Swiss-style carve out of dynamic alignment with the EU regarding animal welfare. We must avoid unnecessary burdens and undercutting of farmers from products produced abroad where animals are treated worse than in the UK.

“The use of pesticides is also a delicate subject. It would be a mistake for dynamic alignment to lead to products that are banned in the EU also being outlawed in the UK despite not having been tested in our climate and production systems. Similarly, we should not let regulatory alignment squander the benefits reaped from our scientific innovations with precision breeding.

“A veterinary and medicines deal that would benefit trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK is long overdue and should be worked towards in tandem with SPS talks.

“We need a national conversation on the realities of a future agreement. The Committee will continue to take the reins on any examination of SPS changes that affect this country.”