Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Acknowledged
In particular, we ask the Government to provide further clarity regarding the specific exemptions it...
Recommendation
In particular, we ask the Government to provide further clarity regarding the specific exemptions it will demand with respect to animal welfare, genomic techniques and pesticides at the earliest opportunity, recognising the significant benefits of UK regulatory autonomy in these areas. (Recommendation, Paragraph 73)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government acknowledges the importance of alignment with the EU, citing manifesto commitments and potential economic benefits, and states it will take a pragmatic, sector-by-sector approach while engaging with industry.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
The Government has been clear and consistent in its messaging on its ambitions for closer cooperation with the EU to improve the safety, security and economic prosperity of the UK. The manifesto on which the Government was elected is clear on its approach to resetting relations with the EU, which has been further set out by the policy commitments set out in the Common Understanding. In regards to the food and drink agreement, the EU has accepted that there will be areas where we retain our own rules. The details of these are still subject to negotiation, but we are clear about the importance of being able to set high animal welfare standards and support the use of new technologies. This agreement is built on a shared commitment to maintaining high safety and quality standards. We cannot comment further on live negotiations. We are also concerned about reports of a termination clause requiring potentially significant financial compensation to the EU if the UK were to exit the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement in the future.
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