First report - Australia FTA: Food and Agriculture
Select Committee
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 23
17 June 2022
Recommendations
6 results
4
Acknowledged
Para 33
While the potential for increased agri-food exports from the UK-Australia FTA deal appears modest, the...
Recommendation
While the potential for increased agri-food exports from the UK-Australia FTA deal appears modest, the UK Government must support the food and farming industry to take maximum advantage of the opportunities that do exist. We welcome the Government’s plans to …
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Government Response Summary
The government states its commitment to supporting the agri-food sector to increase the value of UK exports and is embracing fast-growing markets, citing the UK's accession to the CPTPP as an example.
5
Acknowledged
Given the Government estimates that the net impact of the deal across all agriculture and...
Recommendation
Given the Government estimates that the net impact of the deal across all agriculture and food related sectors is a reduction of £278m, we believe the Government should aid the sector to increase the value of UK food and drink …
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Government Response Summary
The government is committed to supporting the agri-food sector to significantly increase the value of UK exports by embracing fast-growing markets and challenging business in a ‘Race to a Trillion’. The new Food and Drink Export Council will drive a data-led approach to UK agriculture and identify and analyze current and forecasted demand for UK products, and seeking to systematically match a UK offer to these opportunities.
11
Acknowledged
Para 77
It is regrettable that the Government chose to engage in this negotiation without first articulating...
Recommendation
It is regrettable that the Government chose to engage in this negotiation without first articulating the core standards that the food imported into the UK must meet. Setting out core standards would have strengthened the hand of British negotiators, reassured …
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Government Response Summary
The government restates its commitment to upholding high standards and ensuring that farmers are not undercut by unfair competition, noting that all imported products need to meet the UK's SPS import requirements.
12
Acknowledged
While we believe the Government could have gone further in the UK-Australia FTA on standards,...
Recommendation
While we believe the Government could have gone further in the UK-Australia FTA on standards, it has the opportunity, through the various forums created under the agreement, to continue to discuss environmental and animal welfare issues with Australia as part …
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Government Response Summary
The government will work with all stakeholders as it prepares for the entry into force of this FTA and will provide updates to the International Agreements Committee and International Trade Committee regarding the implementation and continued operation of the Agreement on a regular basis.
13
Acknowledged
Para 89
The Government risks negotiating with one hand tied behind its back if it does not...
Recommendation
The Government risks negotiating with one hand tied behind its back if it does not take full advantage of the knowledge and intelligence that the UK sector can provide to support negotiations. The description of the agri-food Trade Advisory Group …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that meaningful two-way engagement with industry stakeholders and the devolved administrations is essential and that TAG membership is regularly reviewed, with the next review this summer.
16
Acknowledged
We welcome the Government’s assertion that the UK-Australia FTA does not provide a blueprint for...
Recommendation
We welcome the Government’s assertion that the UK-Australia FTA does not provide a blueprint for future agreements. Nevertheless, we recognise the food and farming sector’s concerns that other major agricultural exporting nations may seek to use the existence of this …
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Government Response Summary
The government notes the restating of the Committee’s previous recommendations but offers no specific commitment beyond looking forward to continuing constructive work with the Committee.
Conclusions (2) Observations and findings — click to expand
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 21
We understand the concerns that UK cattle and sheep farmers have raised about the impact of additional competition from Australian imports under the UK-Australian FTA, but other witnesses advised us that the immediate risk appears to be limited. However, as recent events in Eastern Europe have demonstrated, circumstances can change …
Government Response Summary
The government is encouraged by the Committee's support for its proposed monitoring of the impacts of the UK-Australia FTA post-implementation.
15
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We found the TAC’s report extremely helpful and thank Professor Bartels, and his colleagues, for their work. We are concerned that Professor Bartels had to use university funds to support the TAC’s work on the Australia FTA. It is essential that the TAC has sufficient, independent, resources to carry out …
Government Response Summary
The government is fully supportive of the Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) and will continue to consider ways to further support the Commission with respect to future agreements and will continue to discuss with the TAC what appropriate level of support is required.