Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 11
11
We asked the Department about the value of state-to-UK bilateral agreements, in terms of contributing...
Conclusion
We asked the Department about the value of state-to-UK bilateral agreements, in terms of contributing to the 80% target. The Department could not tell us and thought this would be hard to calculate. The Department said that it had not set a target for increasing market access at a state level.24 We also emphasised that the lifting of the ban on beef and lamb is only an achievement if it actually has an impact on British exports to the US. Defra told us that the ban on lamb was lifted at the end of 2021 so there have been no impacts yet. However, it estimates that, over five years, the lifting of the ban could be worth more than £30 million to the sector. Defra told us that it is working closely with the sector and the devolved administrations to ensure that the benefits are realised.25 22 Q 6 23 Q 7 24 Qq 7–8 25 Qq 75, 76 12 Progress with trade negotiations 2 Outcomes of trade agreements Measuring the Department’s progress
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
1.4 This is alongside the ending of the bans on UK beef and lamb exports to the US, which is estimated to be worth £66 million and £37 million of export opportunities respectively over the first five years of the bans being lifted. The department will make use of trade data, as it becomes available, to understand the export trends over time.