PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Agriculture: Standards (13 December 2017)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he will be taking to align the devolved administrations' agri-food production targets and enforcement of nitrates water quality standards with each other and those of the Westminster Government, after the UK leaves the EU.

Asked by:
Kerry McCarthy (Labour)

Agri-food policy and the enforcement of nitrates water quality standards are devolved matters where decision making rests with each of the devolved administrations (DAs).

Outside the Common Agricultural Policy, we can develop policies that enhance the environment, support innovation and improve agricultural productivity. The Government set out plans to consult on a new, independent body to regulate environment policy and hold us to account on environmental commitments once the UK has left the EU. One of the key questions which we will explore with the DAs is whether Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland wish to take a different or similar approach.

We have committed to work closely with the DAs and the Secretary of State holds regular meetings with DA Ministers to discuss the issues around leaving the EU.

Defra also has strong working relationships at official level with each of the DAs where the need for common frameworks is scrutinised. This is in addition to the business as usual engagement taking place between Defra and DAs across a broad range of policy and operational issues.

Answered by:
George Eustice (Conservative)
19 December 2017