Recommendations & Conclusions
8 items
1
Conclusion
First report - Australia FTA: Food and …
Acknowledged
We understand the concerns that UK cattle and sheep farmers have raised about the impact of additional competition from Australian imports under the UK-Australian FTA, but other witnesses advised us that the immediate risk appears to be limited. However, as recent events in Eastern Europe have demonstrated, circumstances can change …
Government response. The government is encouraged by the Committee's support for its proposed monitoring of the impacts of the UK-Australia FTA post-implementation.
4
Recommendation
First report - Australia FTA: Food and …
Acknowledged
While the potential for increased agri-food exports from the UK-Australia FTA deal appears modest, the UK Government must support the food and farming industry to take maximum advantage of the opportunities that do exist. We welcome the Government’s plans to develop a network of agri-food trade attachés to support the …
Government response. The government states its commitment to supporting the agri-food sector to increase the value of UK exports and is embracing fast-growing markets, citing the UK's accession to the CPTPP as an example.
5
Recommendation
First report - Australia FTA: Food and …
Acknowledged
Given the Government estimates that the net impact of the deal across all agriculture and food related sectors is a reduction of £278m, we believe the Government should aid the sector to increase the value of UK food and drink export by at least £278m in the trade strategy being …
Government response. The government is committed to supporting the agri-food sector to significantly increase the value of UK exports by embracing fast-growing markets and challenging business in a ‘Race to a Trillion’. The new Food and Drink Export Council will drive a …
11
Recommendation
First report - Australia FTA: Food and …
Acknowledged
It is regrettable that the Government chose to engage in this negotiation without first articulating the core standards that the food imported into the UK must meet. Setting out core standards would have strengthened the hand of British negotiators, reassured the relevant sectors of the Government’s commitment to such standards, …
Government response. The government restates its commitment to upholding high standards and ensuring that farmers are not undercut by unfair competition, noting that all imported products need to meet the UK's SPS import requirements.
12
Recommendation
First report - Australia FTA: Food and …
Acknowledged
While we believe the Government could have gone further in the UK-Australia FTA on standards, it has the opportunity, through the various forums created under the agreement, to continue to discuss environmental and animal welfare issues with Australia as part of its wider ambition of raising standards globally. The Government …
Government response. The government will work with all stakeholders as it prepares for the entry into force of this FTA and will provide updates to the International Agreements Committee and International Trade Committee regarding the implementation and continued operation of the Agreement …
13
Recommendation
First report - Australia FTA: Food and …
Acknowledged
The Government risks negotiating with one hand tied behind its back if it does not take full advantage of the knowledge and intelligence that the UK sector can provide to support negotiations. The description of the agri-food Trade Advisory Group (TAG) given by the Deputy Chief Negotiator appears to confirm …
Government response. The government states that meaningful two-way engagement with industry stakeholders and the devolved administrations is essential and that TAG membership is regularly reviewed, with the next review this summer.
15
Conclusion
First report - Australia FTA: Food and …
Acknowledged
We found the TAC’s report extremely helpful and thank Professor Bartels, and his colleagues, for their work. We are concerned that Professor Bartels had to use university funds to support the TAC’s work on the Australia FTA. It is essential that the TAC has sufficient, independent, resources to carry out …
Government response. The government is fully supportive of the Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) and will continue to consider ways to further support the Commission with respect to future agreements and will continue to discuss with the TAC what appropriate level of …
16
Recommendation
First report - Australia FTA: Food and …
Acknowledged
We welcome the Government’s assertion that the UK-Australia FTA does not provide a blueprint for future agreements. Nevertheless, we recognise the food and farming sector’s concerns that other major agricultural exporting nations may seek to use the existence of this deal to gain similar access for their goods, particularly for …
Government response. The government notes the restating of the Committee’s previous recommendations but offers no specific commitment beyond looking forward to continuing constructive work with the Committee.