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Written question asked by Ruth Jones (Labour) on Friday, 14 October 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 October 2022. It was answered by Scott Mann (Conservative) on Monday, 24 October 2022 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Trade Agreements: Animal Welfare

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on and (b) steps he has taken to ensure that all trade deals include the strongest animal welfare standards.

Answer

HM Government was elected on a manifesto commitment that ‘in all of our trade negotiations, we will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards.’

The United Kingdom is rightly proud of the high animal welfare standards that underpin our high-quality Great British produce. We are standing firm in trade negotiations to make sure any new trade deals live up to the values of farmers and consumers across the United Kingdom and will maintain our high standards as part of any future free trade agreements.

Our Free Trade Agreements with Australia and New Zealand are the first time either country has agreed a standalone chapter on animal welfare. These include commitments not to lower our animal welfare standards and to cooperate on improving standards further. We have agreed to work with both countries internationally, a strong statement recognising animals as sentient beings, and a commitment to share information and expertise on animal welfare. Both agreements also protect the United Kingdom’s sovereign right to set our own animal welfare policies.

These are all matters which Defra discusses regularly with other Departments, at both Ministerial and official level.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
63335
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Animal welfare Standards Trade agreements
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk