Don’t sell out Cumbrian farmers in trade deals – MP warns minister

On the floor of the House of Commons this morning, local MP Tim Farron urged Government ministers to protect Cumbrian farmers in future trade international trade deals.

Speaking during a question in Parliament on increasing trade with African countries, Tim said: "As the Government rightly consider new trade deals with other countries, what lessons will they learn from the hideous mistakes made in the New Zealand and Australia trade deals?

"The right honourable member for Camborne and Redruth (George Eustice), a former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, rightly said that they are bad deals for Britain.

"Given that British farmers are so angry with this Government, having been thrown under the bus on animal welfare and on environmental and cost issues, will he learn lessons from those mistakes and make sure British farmers are protected, and that environmental and animal welfare standards are protected, too?"

In response, the Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston said: "I am, quite frankly, astounded by the honourable gentleman's comments.

"He is well aware, as I have said repeatedly and is widely acknowledged, that the trade deals we have developed, including with Australia and New Zealand, are economically beneficial right across the UK, including in his constituency.

"If he does not wish to support policies that are in the best economic interests of his constituency, that is something his constituents probably need to recognise come the next election."

Speaking afterwards, Tim said: "The minister is clearly not living in the real world.

"If he seriously thinks the trade deals with Australia and New Zealand are good for our area, I would invite him to come up to Westmorland and listen to the many farmers who are apoplectic that they have been sold down the river by his Government."