Steve Double, Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay has championed the future of Cornwall food and drink producers in Parliament.
Speaking in the House of Commons today, Steve quizzed the Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for International Trade Ranil Jayawardena MP on future support for Cornwall’s food and drink producers in upcoming trade deals.
Speaking in Parliament, Steve said:
“Whether it is our excellent butter, cheese and cream, our amazing beef and lamb, our stunning fish and seafood, or our beer, wine and gin, Cornish food and drink are among the highest quality and most sought after in the world. The Minister will be aware that food producers are concerned that our high standards will be undermined in trade deals, so what reassurance can he provide to Cornish food producers that their interests will be protected, and what opportunities does he see for export?”
In reply, the Minister said:
“Like my hon. Friend, I am also proud of the high-quality produce from British farmers, including from those in Cornwall, and I can assure him that trade deals will help deliver economic security for Britain and protect us all from new trade barriers and tariffs that could harm jobs and industry. I can assure him that Cornish food producers will be supported at every turn and will continue to be highly competitive. Negotiations will certainly reward them through providing access to new markets.”
Commenting after the debate, Steve said:
“As we forge new trade relationships following Brexit, it is an exciting time of opportunity for our amazing food and drink producers in Cornwall.”
“At the same time, I do not want to see any of the protections our food and drink producers currently have to be lost, and I was keen to question the Minister on this on behalf of food producers.”