Recommendations & Conclusions
11 items
1
Recommendation
Third Report - Implications of the UK-A…
Accepted
We are satisfied that the UK Government has sufficiently engaged with the Welsh Government during the consultation phase for the UK-Australia free trade agreement. However, given that trade agreements overlap with areas of devolved competence, we suggest that the Welsh Government should have access to the draft treaty text prior …
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We are satisfied that the UK Government has sufficiently engaged with the Welsh Government during the consultation phase for the UK-Australia free trade agreement. However, given that trade agreements overlap with areas of devolved competence, we suggest that the Welsh Government should have access to the draft treaty text prior to publication. This would enable the Welsh Government to provide feedback on regional and local impacts to inform the UK Government’s impact assessment and to produce its own impact assessment.
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Government response AI summary
The government confirms it has committed to and delivered on sharing draft FTA treaty text and an embargoed copy of the final text and economic impact assessment with the devolved administrations prior to signature.
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Wales Office
2
Recommendation
Third Report - Implications of the UK-A…
Not Addressed
We welcome the UK Government’s commitment to including the impact on Wales in the impact assessment for the UK-Australia FTA. However, we reiterate our previous recommendation that the UK Government should publish a Wales-specific impact assessment for free trade agreements (FTAs), including the UK-Australia FTA. This should provide more detail …
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We welcome the UK Government’s commitment to including the impact on Wales in the impact assessment for the UK-Australia FTA. However, we reiterate our previous recommendation that the UK Government should publish a Wales-specific impact assessment for free trade agreements (FTAs), including the UK-Australia FTA. This should provide more detail than the impact assessment for the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) did, and include short- term impacts and impacts by sector in Wales. (Paragraph 12) The agri-food sector
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Government response AI summary
The government states that DIT already publishes scoping and impact assessments that analyze potential impacts on the nations and regions of the UK, without committing to the requested Wales-specific impact assessment with more detail on short-term and sectoral impacts.
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Wales Office
3
Recommendation
Third Report - Implications of the UK-A…
Accepted in Part
We are alert to the concerns of Welsh farmers that the gradual removal of tariffs on Australian beef and lamb potentially poses a competitive threat. However, this is unlikely to manifest in the short term, and it is far from certain that the UK will be flooded with Australian beef …
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We are alert to the concerns of Welsh farmers that the gradual removal of tariffs on Australian beef and lamb potentially poses a competitive threat. However, this is unlikely to manifest in the short term, and it is far from certain that the UK will be flooded with Australian beef and lamb imports in the longer-term. The UK Government should clarify, in the explanatory memorandum accompanying the final treaty text, what conditions would need to be met for agricultural safeguards to be applied in years 10–15 after the agreement comes into force. In response to this report, the UK Government should also explain how it intends to work with the Welsh Government to ensure that its wider trade strategy is coherent with ambitions to make farming more productive and sustainable.
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Government response AI summary
The government clarifies the specific volume thresholds and safeguard duties for beef and sheep meat that would trigger agricultural safeguards in years 11-15 after the agreement comes into force. However, it does not explain how it intends to work with the Welsh Government on a …
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Wales Office
4
Recommendation
Third Report - Implications of the UK-A…
Not Addressed
The UK Government should respond to the report of the first Trade and Agriculture Commission.
Government response AI summary
The government response discusses DIT's extensive engagement with Devolved Administrations on international trade policy, but does not address the recommendation to respond to the report of the first Trade and Agriculture Commission.
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Wales Office
5
Recommendation
Third Report - Implications of the UK-A…
Deferred
We are concerned that the statutory Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) is not yet operational and we urge the UK Government to set up the TAC as soon as possible. The UK Government intends to allow the TAC to scrutinise the final text of the UK-Australia free trade agreement (FTA), …
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We are concerned that the statutory Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) is not yet operational and we urge the UK Government to set up the TAC as soon as possible. The UK Government intends to allow the TAC to scrutinise the final text of the UK-Australia free trade agreement (FTA), but this may occur too late to enable effective Parliamentary scrutiny of the agreement. To improve scrutiny of future FTAs, the TAC’s report should be published alongside the final text, impact assessment and explanatory memorandum.
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Government response AI summary
The government states it is still considering the extensive recommendations from the Trade and Agriculture Commission and will publish its response when ready, without committing to a specific timeline for setting up the statutory body or publishing its reports alongside future FTA texts.
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Wales Office
6
Recommendation
Third Report - Implications of the UK-A…
Accepted
On establishing the statutory TAC, the UK Government should publish a statement clearly outlining the role of the TAC and the role that the TAC will play in feeding into Parliamentary scrutiny of FTAs. (Paragraph 31) Implications of the UK-Australia FTA for Wales 15
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On establishing the statutory TAC, the UK Government should publish a statement clearly outlining the role of the TAC and the role that the TAC will play in feeding into Parliamentary scrutiny of FTAs. (Paragraph 31) Implications of the UK-Australia FTA for Wales 15
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the TAC’s independent advice will be published to inform parliamentary scrutiny of FTAs under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (CRaG), and points to additional enhanced scrutiny arrangements already in place.
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Wales Office
7
Recommendation
Third Report - Implications of the UK-A…
Not Addressed
The TAC must include at least one member who understands and has direct experience of the agricultural and regulatory landscape of Wales.
Government response AI summary
The government response discusses the Trade and Agriculture Commission's (TAC) role and advisory process as defined by relevant legislation, but does not address the recommendation regarding the inclusion of a member with direct experience of the agricultural and regulatory landscape of Wales.
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Wales Office
8
Recommendation
Third Report - Implications of the UK-A…
Not Addressed
Free trade agreements offer opportunities for Welsh businesses to export and we welcome that the UK-Australia FTA will result in the removal of tariffs for British exports. However, in order to maximise opportunities for Welsh farmers to export their goods and access new markets, the UK should significantly increase the …
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Free trade agreements offer opportunities for Welsh businesses to export and we welcome that the UK-Australia FTA will result in the removal of tariffs for British exports. However, in order to maximise opportunities for Welsh farmers to export their goods and access new markets, the UK should significantly increase the number of Agriculture and Food Counsellors based overseas, particularly in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. (Paragraph 37) Overall conclusions
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Government response AI summary
The government's response is completely unrelated to the recommendation, discussing a 'Commission' and the 'regulatory landscape of the UK' instead of increasing Agriculture and Food Counsellors.
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Wales Office
9
Conclusion
Third Report - Implications of the UK-A…
Not Addressed
We welcome the commitments to new mobility arrangements that will make it easier for Welsh people to travel to and work in Australia.
Government response AI summary
The government response details DIT's initiatives to promote British and Northern Irish agriculture, food, and drink exports, but does not address the committee's welcoming conclusion about new mobility arrangements with Australia.
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Wales Office
10
Recommendation
Third Report - Implications of the UK-A…
Not Addressed
We welcome the Agreement in Principle reached between the UK and Australian governments and await the final text of the free trade agreement (FTA). However, while the UK-Australia FTA is unlikely to have a significant impact on Wales in the short term, we are conscious of the concerns that exist …
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We welcome the Agreement in Principle reached between the UK and Australian governments and await the final text of the free trade agreement (FTA). However, while the UK-Australia FTA is unlikely to have a significant impact on Wales in the short term, we are conscious of the concerns that exist within the Welsh agri- food sector. Farm businesses are already facing some uncertainty in the transition away from the EU system of farm payments and the changing trade environment. The UK Government and Welsh Government must work with the agri-food sector to ensure that UK producers have the skills and support needed to thrive in a new global trading environment.
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Government response AI summary
The government outlines its existing extensive engagement structures with the Devolved Administrations on trade agreements, but does not commit to specific actions for working directly with the agri-food sector to provide skills and support.
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Wales Office
11
Conclusion
Third Report - Implications of the UK-A…
Not Addressed
We welcome the UK Government’s commitment to allow three months for parliamentary scrutiny between the publication of the final text of the agreement and laying the text before the House. We will continue to scrutinise the impacts of this and other FTAs on Wales. (Paragraph 41) 16 Implications of the …
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We welcome the UK Government’s commitment to allow three months for parliamentary scrutiny between the publication of the final text of the agreement and laying the text before the House. We will continue to scrutinise the impacts of this and other FTAs on Wales. (Paragraph 41) 16 Implications of the UK-Australia FTA for Wales
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Government response AI summary
The government's response discusses DIT's engagement structures and collaboration with Devolved Administrations on international trade policy, but does not directly address the committee's welcome of a specific parliamentary scrutiny commitment.
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Wales Office