Overview

This bill aims to increase parliamentary scrutiny of trade agreements and ensure that UK agricultural, environmental, and animal welfare standards are considered during negotiations. It requires parliamentary approval for new trade deals and mandates reports assessing the impact of potential agreements on farming and the environment.

Description

The bill introduces several key changes:

• Parliamentary Approval: The House of Commons must approve any new bilateral international trade agreement before it can be signed by a government minister.
• Duty to Consider Standards: The Secretary of State must consider the potential impact on UK agricultural, environmental, and animal welfare standards when negotiating trade agreements and report on these considerations to Parliament before seeking parliamentary approval.
• Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) Reports: The TAC is required to assess the effects of proposed trade agreements on farming, the rural environment, and animal welfare, submitting reports to the Secretary of State, who must then present them to Parliament.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify any changes to government spending. The costs associated with the increased scrutiny and reporting requirements are not detailed in the provided text.

Groups Affected

• Parliament: Gains increased oversight and control over trade agreements.
• Farmers and the agricultural sector: Potentially impacted by the consideration of UK agricultural standards in trade negotiations and the assessments of the TAC.
• Environmental groups: Potentially impacted by the consideration of UK environmental standards in trade negotiations and the assessments of the TAC.
• Animal welfare groups: Potentially impacted by the consideration of UK animal welfare standards in trade negotiations and the assessments of the TAC.
• Government: Faces increased procedural requirements for negotiating and ratifying trade agreements.

Powered by nyModel