Strangford MP Jim Shannon, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Eggs, Pigs and Poultry, has spoken of the success of the reception held at Westminster.
He said: “The reception is the first for the All-Party Parliamentary Group since the EU Referendum. And whilst many in the egg, pig and poultry sector, and many of us across both houses had contrasting views, we must now put them to bed and get on with ensuring the British food industry gets the safeguards where required and can capitalise on opportunities when they presented once Brexit occurs.
“Migration is obviously such important one. We know that the egg sector is currently undertaking an exercise to establish how many migrants work on farm and in packing stations. Initial figures show this could be over 50% meaning that provision of labour when the UK has a new migration arrangement with the EU must take this into account. After all, the poultry meat sector split 58% EU, 3% Rest of the World, 39% UK!
“However, as someone who is passionate about our produce, I also believe that industry and government should be encouraging young people to enter the industry so we become less reliant on overseas work.
“I am confident that ministers hear loud and clear the provision of labour concerns that also apply to the entirety of agriculture and this will be reflective in our new EU relationship.
“On trade, once we leave the EU, I have no doubt that the government will be keen to sign trade deals with countries from all around the world, but we must be mindful that we cannot do this at the expense of farming. We know that some nations’ main asset will be agriculture, whilst the UK can offer a plethora of goods and services and especially we must consider the US as the price is right for them to buy and the quality is excellent and this must be better exploited.
“The industries here tonight have worked hard over a number of years and at great cost to be able to provide food at a good price, great quality and with high animal welfare standards. We simply cannot sign this away with free trade agreements.
“I am sure those here tonight who have a strong interest in animal welfare will agree with me in saying that allowing imports that do not comply with our laws will not wash with us, the industry or the British public. That said, we must not disrupts essential trade such as breeding stock into the country. This is vital for production.
“There are opportunities when it comes to trade, though. The poultry meat and pig sectors want better access to the Chinese market and I know that the previous Secretary of State was making some headway in this matter and I know that our own DEARA Minister Michelle McIlveen has been in China to firm up business opportunities across the Agricultural board. We need to open up markets where there is a perceived opportunity and I and colleagues will be making representations to government about this.
“We needs questions answered. Questions such as, will importing countries continue to accept revised Export Health Certificates s once references to the EU are removed?
“The industries represented by this APPG receive no subsidy through the EU or government. This is proof that they are dynamic sectors who can adapt when they face challenges. Our job at Westminster is to listen to their concerns and make sure they can thrive and feed our nation and the world in the new age that approaches us.
“An agricultural policy that supports the egg, pig and poultry sectors with policies that focus on competitiveness, productivity, animal health and welfare and promotion of British produce is what must be established and secured and this is what we are working towards.”
