Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the new proposed dynamic alignment with the EU will ban the sale of oatcakes in the UK due to new EU agricultural standards.

The oats sector plays a vital role in UK agriculture, particularly in Scotland, and we fully recognise the importance of this issue for those businesses.

As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit in May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common SPS Area. We have been clear that in some areas we will need to account for conditions specific to Great Britain; and on the importance of ensuring that the SPS Agreement delivers positive outcomes for businesses across the UK, while safeguarding our high standards.

Officials in Defra are actively engaging with industry representatives on this important issue, as well as with the Scottish Government.