Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate she has made of the additional time it will potentially take for the UK's proposed Geographical Indication-protected products to have that status confirmed under the terms of the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership in the event that such proposals face opposition in Japan.
We continue to work with the Government of Japan to ensure the process to protect more UK products is smooth. Unless there are exceptional circumstances - like a Japanese producer of Cornish clotted cream opposing that Geographical Indication - this should be a straightforward process.
In the event that such proposals faced opposition in Japan we would inform relevant UK stakeholders and consult with Japanese officials to ensure this is resolved as quickly as practically possible.