Overview

This bill amends the Agriculture Bill to ensure that future UK trade deals involving agricultural and food products uphold or exceed domestic standards in areas like animal welfare, environmental protection, and food safety. It achieves this primarily through requiring reports and statements to Parliament before trade agreements are ratified.

Description

The bill went through several iterations in Parliament. Initially, it proposed mandatory equivalence of import standards to domestic standards for all agricultural and food products. This was rejected. A revised version made securing such equivalence a negotiating objective but allowed exceptions for least developed countries and existing agreements. Finally, the adopted amendments require the Secretary of State to produce a report before Parliament on every trade deal affecting agri-food products. The report must assess the deal's impact on UK production standards and include a register of products receiving preferential access that might be produced to lower standards than those in the UK. Further, a report must show whether a trade agreement is consistent with UK statutory protection levels relating to human, animal, or plant life or health; animal welfare; and the environment. Consultation is required with various stakeholders before the report is submitted. The agreement cannot be ratified within 21 sitting days of the motion being moved in Parliament.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly specify any changes to government spending. The establishment of a Trade and Agriculture Commission was proposed but ultimately rejected. The costs associated with producing the required reports will be borne by the government, but the precise financial implications are not detailed.

Groups Affected

• UK Farmers: Potentially positively impacted by the protection of domestic standards from lower-standard imports.
• Food Importers: May face challenges in importing products if they don't meet UK standards.
• Consumers: May see higher prices for some imported food products due to the higher standards but potentially benefit from improved food safety and animal welfare.
• Environmental Groups: Potentially positively impacted by stronger environmental protection in the agri-food sector.
• Animal Welfare Groups: Potentially positively impacted by stronger animal welfare protections.
• Least Developed Countries: May face trade barriers if the bill's provisions are strictly enforced.

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