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Written question asked by Jonathan Edwards (Independent (affiliation)) on Thursday, 24 June 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 29 June 2021 (named day). It was answered by Baroness Prentis of Banbury (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 June 2021 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Food and Livestock: UK Trade with EU

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a UK-EU veterinary agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary rules on movements of animals and food products on Welsh (a) exports and (b) imports.

Answer

We continue to engage with the EU on steps we can take to reduce trade frictions. At the first meeting of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) Partnership Council on 9 June, the UK emphasised the importance of cooperating to avoid unnecessary SPS barriers, and reiterated that we are open to an SPS agreement based on equivalence.

The UK proposed a mechanism to agree equivalence during the TCA negotiations, which the EU did not countenance. We are open to discussions with the EU on additional steps to further reduce trade friction, but these cannot be on the basis of future alignment with EU rules. This would compromise UK sovereignty over our own laws.

Our TCA also provides an alternative framework for agreeing trade facilitations going forward. Over time, this will help to reduce the burden on businesses from border controls and certification requirements. We will seek to reduce checks safely through the regular dialogue both sides have committed to in the agreement.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
21872
Session
2021-22
Grouped for answer
Yes
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Animals Food Livestock Transport Wales Veterinary services UK trade with EU
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk