Agrifood trade with the EU and veterinary capacity in the UK
The EU Environment Sub-Committee will be hearing evidence on agrifood trade with the EU and public health veterinary capacity in the UK.
The first panel involves representatives from the National Farmers’ Union, the British Retail Consortium, and the Food and Drink Federation. The second panel involves the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the British Veterinary Association, and the School of Veterinary Science in Liverpool.
It’s easy to take it for granted that we can buy affordable and nutritious food to feed our families, and that we have the skills to turn our purchases to a meal that will feed our family well and do them no harm.
That is not universally the case in the UK, and may be affected by the UK’s new trading relationship with the EU. Food prices and labelling policies can mean carbohydrates and fats figure more prominently in shopping trollies than fruit or vegetables, or that people favour processed food over a more balanced diet.
Trading arrangements, and food and agriculture policies, all have an impact on our wellbeing and health. These evidence sessions look at how we can use our new relationship with the EU to help individuals have a healthy, happy lifestyle.
Meeting details
Areas of discussion:
The Committee will ask the first panel about:
- What the Trade and Cooperation Agreement means for agrifood trade between the UK and EU, with a particular focus on the implications for industry and consumers ability to access healthy food
The Committee will ask the second panel about:
- Whether the UK has enough public health vets to fulfil the requirements of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement
- What steps the Government can take to address any shortfall
On 16 December the Committee held a roundtable on agrifood exports to the EU; however, as the rules that will apply are now significantly clearer, this session is intended to address both imports and exports. You can watch this session here: https://committees.parliament.uk/event/2964/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
These sessions will inform the Committee’s summative report on the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. If you wish to submit evidence to this inquiry please do so here: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/944/future-ukeu-relations-energy-environment-and-health/