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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will consider allowing the export of live animals to the EU as part of the dynamic alignment provisions of the proposed sanitary and phytosanitary agreement with the EU.

The Government does not currently prohibit the export of live animals to the EU, except for slaughter and fattening. This Government is currently negotiating a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and regulatory barriers for British producers and retailers. These negotiations are ongoing, and this Government will not be providing a running commentary. Details of the Agreement are subject to negotiation, but this Government has been clear about the importance of being able to set high animal welfare standards.