Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to her oral statement of 5 January 2022, Official Report, columns 64 to 67, what assessment she has made of the compatibility of standards between UK and Australian (a) beef, (b) lamb, (c) pork, (d) poultry and (e) eggs; what the evidential basis is for the conclusion that (a) pork, eggs and poultry were not and (b) beef and lamb are at a compatible level; and if she will publish that assessment and evidential basis.

There is nothing in the Australia agreement that will lower or compromise the UK’s high food, animal welfare or environment standards. Imports will still have to meet the same respective UK and Australian food safety and biosecurity standards.

We have secured ground-breaking provisions on Animal Welfare with Australia, including a standalone Animal Welfare chapter. This includes a non-regression and non-derogation clause, which is a first in any FTA.

The Department for International Trade publishes impact assessments that are conducted after negotiations have concluded. This can be found on our website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-australia-fta-impact-assessment