We welcome the approach that the UK Government has taken to protecting the UK’s SPS requirements within negotiations on the UK-Australia FTA. It will be essential that the UK robustly maintains this position in negotiations with future trade partners who may have a greater offensive interest in challenging the UK’s SPS regime. It is also essential that the Government can enforce these rules and that sufficient checks are conducted on imported food products. We call on the Government to publish its plans to resource a verification system as part of its new Target Operating Model to ensure these bans are being enforced and to monitor animal welfare standards.