Tim Farron asks PM when Cumbrian farmers will see benefits of reduced red tape with Europe

In Parliament this week, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron quizzed Prime Minister Keir Starmer as to when local farmers will be able to sell their produce more easily to countries in Europe. 

It comes after the UK and the EU agreed a trade and co-operation deal on Monday which is set to ease the red tape on food and agricultural exports.

In practical terms, this means farmers and agri-food businesses could benefit from faster, simpler border checks and reduced costs when exporting to the EU.

Speaking in the House of Commons during a statement on the UK-EU Summit, Tim said: “Thanks to the appalling deal that the Conservatives did with the EU in 2020, we saw farmers lose 34% of their export market into the European Union. That contributed to a 41% drop in incomes for livestock farmers in my constituency and across the country, so we are encouraged to hear about the access to the European market for our farmers. 

“Can the Prime Minister say more about that and when farmers in Westmorland and beyond might avail themselves of those opportunities?”

In response, Keir Starmer said: “I thank the honourable gentleman for raising that issue, which will be of huge interest to his constituents. If I have got his number right, he said there was a 41% drop in trade because of the deal that the previous Government did for farmers, who they claim to champion. 

“As he will appreciate, this deal ensures that food and agriculture going into the EU will, under the SPS agreement, do so without any red tape or bureaucracy. That will make it much easier for his constituents, and for farmers generally, to trade in the EU market and will bring down their costs, which is hugely important for farmers and his constituents.

“On the question of timing, we will do it as quickly as possible. We are moving at pace. I appreciate that for farmers in his constituency and across the country, it is hugely important to undo the damage that the previous Government did.”