Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee

Recommendation 24

24 Accepted

Engage stakeholders early to protect UK standards and unlock market access opportunities.

Recommendation
We recognise that the GT-EPD lays important foundations for reducing non- tariff barriers. The Committee urges Government to engage stakeholders early to ensure that future commitments protect UK standards while unlocking market access opportunities. (Recommendation, Paragraph 135)
Government Response Summary
The government states it has been, and will continue to be, extensively engaging with businesses and stakeholders across the economy to protect UK standards while unlocking market access opportunities under the EPD.
Government Response Accepted
HM Government Accepted
The PM, Business Secretary and other Ministers across Government have been engaging widely with business organisations and companies from across the economy, including discussions on non-tariff barriers. This is in addition to the close and regular direct engagement between officials and industry. We will continue our extensive engagement with businesses from across the UK throughout ongoing EPD negotiations. The UK’s trade deals will always respect the regulatory autonomy of both the UK and our trading partners, and we will always uphold our high standards in areas such as food, environment, and animal welfare standards, and maintain the integrity of UK product regulations.