Dr Neil Hudson MP stood up for British values in the Chamber by commending Government on standing strong by prohibiting unacceptable standard foreign food imports and secured confirmation from Kemi Badenoch, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, that the UK will remain steadfast in its opposition to hormone-treated beef, ractopamine-treated pork and chlorine-washed poultry.
In the Chamber, Dr Hudson said " It is important that we can be a beacon to the rest of the world" when it comes to food standards, public health and animal health and welfare.
These comments came during a debate on the Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill, which will legislate for the UK's accession into one of the largest free-trade areas in the world alongside countries like Australia, Japan and Singapore - the CPTPP. Accounting for some 15% of global GDP, the Pacific trade group will unlock new opportunities for British businesses with reduced red tape and zero tariffs for virtually all exports.
This is significant as the partnership already accounts for in excess of £100 billion-worth of UK trade. We already sell more to CPTPP nations than France and Italy combined and this will only increase with the region set to account for the majority of global economic growth by 2050.
Dr Hudson first spoke to commend the Business Secretary for standing firm on British agri-food standards by not permitting the importation of hormone-treated beef when negotiating trade arrangements with our friends and allies in Canada.
In a second intervention Dr Hudson pointed to the expansion of British global soft power that would result from joining the CPTPP, allowing the UK to export education and values, alongside goods and technology - not least in the field of animal health and welfare where Britain leads the world with its robust standards.
Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
"Joining the CPTPP is a powerful opportunity to unlock free trade with high-growth nations and reap the economic benefits of export opportunities, increased consumer choice and eased cost of living pressures.
"Moreover, post-Brexit trade freedoms have allowed our Conservative Government to stand strong on our high animal welfare, public health and agri-food standards. I was delighted the Trade Secretary reaffirmed to me that we will never compromise when it comes to hormone-treated beef, ractopamine-treated pork and chlorine-washed poultry.
"By engaging more closely with international partners, I have no doubt this will also result in a triumph for British soft-power, spreading the good work that the UK does - driving standards and bringing our allies with us."
