Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the (a)(i) validity of cases brought before the WTO dispute resolution mechanism to which the EU has been the respondent which relate to food standards and (ii) proportionality of the EU's response to those cases in the last 10 years and (b) the potential for the UK to face similar disputes in the event that it maintains the same food standards after leaving the EU.
Answered by George Hollingbery
The European Commission was responsible for responding to the WTO disputes relating to food standards, including contesting the validity of the challenge where appropriate, and developing a proportionate response. The EU will continue to act on the UK’s behalf in WTO disputes while we remain a Member State. The UK, through its membership of the EU has supported WTO actions taken by the European Commission.
The UK supports the global-rules based system and recognises the importance of complying with WTO rules. We recognise the importance of all our actions being WTO compliant. My officials are looking at where potential disputes could arise, including reviewing case law, to help us prepare for any potential future disputes across a range of issues. We are currently building our capability to conduct international trade disputes independently after we leave the EU. We will be ready to protect UK interests and to defend any disputes brought against us.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on ending unnecessary ad hoc cosmetics testing on animals by Chinese authorities on shipments of cosmetic products imported into China.
Answered by Graham Stuart
My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade discussed the issue of the mandatory requirement for animal testing for imported non-special use cosmetics products into China, with the Chinese government, during the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) in August 2018.
In addition, HM Ambassador to China has also discussed the matter with the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR).
In the JETCO the two governments agreed to work towards ensuring British cosmetics companies receive equal treatment to domestic manufacturers, specifically concerning the requirement to test on animals.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure that anti-dumping duties on aluminium foil are maintained when the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by George Hollingbery
On 24 July 2018, the government published the provisional findings of the trade remedies call for evidence into which existing EU measures will be transitioned. The provisional findings from business indicate the measures on aluminium foil will be terminated when the UK leaves the EU. No UK producer responded to the call for evidence.
Since then, interested parties were invited to provide further information which may affect these findings. The government is currently considering additional information from industry, and aims to publish a final report before the end of 2018.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether he has made representations to his Thai counterpart during his recent visit to Thailand on the conviction of human rights activist Andy Hall.
Answered by Graham Stuart
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given by my Rt Hon. Friend Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific (Mark Field) on 30 April 2018, UIN 136959.
The UK has a wide-ranging relationship with Thailand on prosperity, education and security issues. My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade's visit to Thailand was to set out the future of our bilateral trading relationship and show UK commitment to free trade. Human rights continue to be at the core of our values and we are fully aligned to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's commitment to raising these issues in the Government's diplomatic engagements overseas. As my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State did in Bangkok, covering the issues that Mr Hall works on, although his specific case was not raised.
The British Government supports the right of human rights defenders to carry out their work without fear of harassment or reprisals. We also support full implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what safeguards are in place to ensure that UK companies investing in the Thai poultry farm industry comply with (a) business and (b) human rights obligations.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
UK companies investing overseas are obliged to comply with the laws which apply in the relevant foreign country as enforced by the appropriate jurisdiction. In addition, this Government supports full implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what safeguards are in place to ensure that UK companies investing in the Thai poultry farm industry comply with (a) business and (b) human rights obligations.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
UK companies investing overseas are obliged to comply with the laws which apply in the relevant foreign country as enforced by the appropriate jurisdiction. In addition, this Government supports full implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what energy-related exports to sub-Saharan Africa have been supported by UK Export Finance and for which (a) companies (b) type of project or export (c) destination country in the most recent year for which figures are available.
Answered by Mark Garnier
UK Export Finance (UKEF) publishes details of the companies it has supported on an annual basis in its Annual Report and Accounts which is presented to Parliament and on its website. These details include the type of project or export supported, and the destination country.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-export-finance-annual-reports-and-accounts
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what support his Department provides to help UK renewable energy companies export to Africa.
Answered by Mark Garnier
The Department for International Trade (DIT) uses multiple channels to provide support to UK companies looking for opportunities in the renewable energy sector in Africa. For example:
- UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency, has capacity to support UK trade and welcomes new applications for support from companies in the renewables sector. There is up to £2 billion available from UKEF for East Africa across all sectors. Further details on the products available from UKEF are listed on their website, along with country by country data. (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-export-finance).
- In April 2016, UKEF also joined African Trade Insurance (ATI), the pan-African export credit agency. As an ATI member, UKEF gains access to information about upcoming opportunities for exporters. ATI will also provide a platform to raise awareness among project sponsors and buyers in African countries of the UKEF support available to importers of UK goods and services.
- In 2016 UKEF signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kenyan government on renewables investment, to promote opportunities for private sector trade and investment by the UK in Kenya’s renewable energy sector.
- DIT has a High Value Campaign (HVC) targeting renewables exports to East Africa.
- DIT also provides reactive support to exporters through our International Trade Advisor’s (ITA) network. (https://www.contactus.trade.gov.uk/office-finder/)
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what advice on human rights is given to UK companies doing business in China.
Answered by Mark Garnier
HMG publishes Overseas Business Risk guidance for companies operating in many countries including China. This includes sections on child labour, ethnic minorities, gender, migrant workers, working conditions and trade unions.
In 2013, HMG also published advice on ‘Good Business – Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights’, which was updated in 2016. The document has been translated into Mandarin Chinese for the benefit of Chinese audiences.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s travel advice for China also details human rights concerns.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if he will list the human rights priority countries that he or Ministers in his Department have visited over the last 12 months; what briefings on human rights such Ministers received before those visits; and what discussions those Ministers had on human rights in each of those visits.
Answered by Mark Garnier
The UK has long supported the promotion of our values globally and this will continue as we leave the EU. We do not shy away from confronting barriers to trade and investment – including issues of human rights and corruption.
The Department for International Trade is working closely with other departments in particular the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Ministerial Briefing for every country visited includes country profiles provided by the FCO which where appropriate, set out human rights issues.