Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Carmichael – who chairs the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee – said farmers must be able to see free trade agreements ‘not just as threats but as opportunities too’.
He pointed to the United States as an example, where the Department of Agriculture (USDA) invests heavily in promoting American agri-food products worldwide.
“The USDA has a foreign agricultural service with 100 different offices, embassies and trade missions,” Mr Carmichael told MPs.
“They work with US farming groups around the world to promote their product, and they are not spending that money just to stand still.
“What will the Secretary of State be doing to ensure that our farmers have the same opportunities?”
Responding, secretary of state for business and trade Peter Kyle said the government was committed to ensuring British farmers could make the most of new and existing trade deals.
“It is very important that the whole British economy and government exploit the full opportunities that these agreements offer,” Mr Kyle said.
“The Department for Business and Trade has embedded highly talented trade experts across the world, and they are working on the frontline of all the economic opportunities we see globally – including in agriculture.”
He added that he would welcome further input from MPs to identify sectors and regions where export potential was not yet being realised.
Following the exchange, Mr Carmichael said he was encouraged by the minister’s response but called for more practical support.
“Growing our agricultural exports does not happen by chance, and trade deals are only part of the equation,” he said.
“The government should expand our network of agri-food experts in target markets and encourage industry to do the same.
“That is how we turn our farmers and food producers into winners from our trade relations.”