7th Report - Scotland, Trade and Brexit

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government sets out its approach to trade policy and the role of the Devolved Administrations, agreeing with some recommendations (including a ministerial forum) while declining a comprehensive mutual recognition agreement on geographical indications.

• On a trade concordat, the government says the terms are "currently under discussion" and it hopes "to reach agreement between the parties in the coming months".
• It agrees there should be ministerial-level engagement and has announced its intention to form a new Ministerial Forum for International Trade, with frequency and terms of reference "subject to ongoing discussion" with the Devolved Administrations.
• It does not accept a comprehensive mutual recognition agreement on geographical indications with the EU, saying it "would undermine the independence of the UK GI schemes", and states that the UK GI scheme will be fully operational in a deal or no deal scenario.
• On joint trade missions, it says officials at the Office for the Secretary of State for Scotland "will work with Scottish Government counterparts" when future visits are planned and will report back to the Committee on any joint missions.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error