Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 21
21
We asked why the National Farmers Union is so pessimistic about the trade agreement.
Conclusion
We asked why the National Farmers Union is so pessimistic about the trade agreement. The Department admitted that there were risks and downsides to the deal and that a body which represents the interests of farmers would be concerned about the downside, although the Department considered the downside to be very unlikely.55 We acknowledged that a trade deal requires compromise on both sides. However, the National Farmers Union may have concerns that farmers have been disadvantaged by the agreement so that the UK can gain access to Australia’s financial services market.56
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
4.2 DIT is committed to using monitoring and evaluation (M&E) findings to ensure that the benefits for businesses, workers and consumers are maximised, and that lessons are learnt which inform the design of the department’s future trade policies. DIT will do this while working closely with DEFRA and other government departments. 4.3 DIT has committed to publishing a biennial FTA monitoring report, which will provide the Department’s analytical evidence base to inform and engage Parliament, the public and other interested stakeholders, including in the agriculture sector. 4.4 DIT will also work with DEFRA to support agricultural, and food and drink exports. DIT are working collaboratively with DEFRA to establish and launch the Food and Drink Export Council and are supporting DEFRA to establish and recruit a new cohort of agri-food attaches in key markets.