Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what research he has commissioned into distinguishing between goods produced in (a) the Occupied West Bank and (b) Green line Israel through scientific means.

As I told the House and the Business and Trade Select Committee, we are actively considering a ban on trade with and from the illegal settlements, but we have not commissioned such research.

Goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements are not entitled to tariff preferences under the UK–Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement. To ensure goods were not produced in any non-eligible settlement, HMRC requires importers claiming preference to make a legal declaration stating the goods’ origin. Where HMRC is not satisfied that the requirements are met, preferential tariff is denied and proportionate compliance action is taken (warning letters first, followed by monetary civil penalties).

HMRC takes an intelligence-led approach to verify the origin of goods but does not provide specific details regarding checks, as it may serve to undermine enforcement and compliance activities.

The UK Government also encourages accurate labelling of goods to avoid misleading consumers and promote transparency.