George Eustice to give evidence to Lords Committee on agriculture and Brexit
The House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee will hear evidence from George Eustice MP, Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on Wednesday 8 March. He will be questioned on the implications of Brexit on UK agriculture.
The session provides an opportunity to explore with the Minister themes that have emerged over the course of the Committee's inquiry including: the consequences of withdrawal from the Common Agricultural Policy; the opportunities and challenges related to trade in agriculture and food products with the EU once the UK withdraws from the Single Market and Customs Union, and what powers will be devolved and what will be repatriated to the UK Government.
Questions he is likely to be asked include:
- What are the Government's priorities for agri-food trade with the EU in the context of Brexit?
- What powers will be devolved and what will be repatriated to the UK Government? Will we see a UK-wide agricultural policy after Brexit?
- How does the Government plan to cope with the high demand for skilled and unskilled, seasonal and permanent labour on farms and in the food supply chains?
- What funding, if any, will the Government make available to farmers after Brexit and for what purpose?
- How will Defra cope with the added work pressure of simultaneously repatriating agricultural policy, developing new policies for agriculture, fisheries and the environment, reviewing Regulations and negotiating new suitable agri-food trading relationships with the EU and the wider world?
The evidence session will start at 10:30am on Wednesday 8 March and will be held in Committee Room 2 of the House of Lords.
