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Written question asked by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour) on Friday, 6 June 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Friday, 20 June 2025. It was answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour) on Monday, 16 June 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.


Meat Products: Preservatives

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the proposed Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area with the European Union will include provisions to restrict or ban the use of added nitrites in processed meats, in the light of scientific evidence linking nitrites to cancer.

Answer

As outlined in the 19 May UK-EU Summit common understanding document, an SPS Agreement will cover sanitary and phytosanitary standards and controls and also wider agrifood rules related to food labelling, organics, and key marketing standards and compositional standards- as well as pesticides. The details of the Agreement are subject to negotiation, but the Government is committed to high food standards.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL8216
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Meat products Regulation Preservatives
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk