Trade agreements and human rights
Lack of clarity on the government's approach to linking trade agreements with trading partners' human rights records.
374 items
4 sources
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
100match
#17 - Align UK legislation with global partners, introducing mandatory human rights due diligence and import bans.
The UK Government must look to align with global legislation, prioritising the introduction of mandatory Human Rights due diligence, to avoid duplicated efforts for UK businesses. The Government should also consider newer levers such as import bans on products from regions where forced labour prevails, as being introduced in the United States and the European Union. (Recommendation, Paragraph...
Matched on
terms: human, right, trade
Committee recommendation
99match
#23 - Introduce mandatory human rights due diligence legislation and consider forced labour import bans.
In line with the previous recommendations of this Committee, the Government should align with other countries to introduce mandatory human rights due diligence legislation, and consider new levers such as import bans on products from regions where forced labour prevails, as being introduced in the US and the EU. (Recommendation, Paragraph 129)
Matched on
terms: human, right, trade
Committee recommendation
99match
#12 - Ensure Responsible Business Conduct Review creates enforceable human and labour rights expectations for businesses.
The Government should ensure that its ongoing Responsible Business Conduct Review results in clear and enforceable expectations on UK businesses, including respect for human rights and labour rights within their supply chains. The Government should report to Parliament on the outcome of the Review. (Recommendation, Paragraph 80) UK-Indian investment
Matched on
terms: human, right, trade
Committee recommendation
99match
#11 - ESG frameworks in trade agreement lack impact due to absent enforceable dispute settlement.
The Committee concludes that the Agreement establishes useful environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks. However, while the inclusion of standalone chapters on anti-corruption, labour rights, environment, gender equality and development represent a step forward in India’s trade agreements, their impact is significantly constrained by the absence of enforceable dispute settlement mechanisms. (Conclusion, Paragraph 79)
Matched on
terms: agreement, right, trade
Committee recommendation
87match
#17 - Ensure Free Trade Agreements do not undermine the viability of farming in Wales
We are concerned that Free Trade Agreements have been entered into in the full knowledge that Wales’ agricultural industry may be negatively impacted. The Government must ensure that FTAs do not act as a ‘Trojan Horse’ that, overtime, will undermine the viability of farming in Wales. Although Australia and New Zealand do not make full use of their...
Matched on
terms: agreement, trade
Committee recommendation
87match
#10 - Monitor closely and report labour market impacts arising from the trade agreement.
The Government should closely monitor labour market impacts arising from the Agreement and report back to Parliament on its assessment. (Recommendation, Paragraph 71) Sustainability and labour standards
Matched on
terms: agreement, trade
Committee recommendation
87match
#9 - Trade agreement modestly extends existing mobility arrangements with limited labour market impact.
The Agreement locks in and modestly extends existing arrangements for mobility. The Government maintains that the provisions are limited in scope and will not have a material impact on the UK labour market. (Conclusion, Paragraph 70)
Matched on
terms: agreement, trade
Committee recommendation
86match
#37 - Rectify Government's failure to sanction companies for supply chain human rights abuses.
The Government has as yet failed to sanction any companies for human rights abuses within their supply chains, demonstrating a lack of resolve towards preventing Uyghur forced labour products from flooding the UK. The Government should rectify this.
Matched on
terms: human, right
Committee recommendation
82match
#45 - Ensure biodiversity considerations are consistently incorporated into all trade agreements and operations
For the UK Government to make good on its declared intention to put environmental sustainability measures at the heart of global production and trade, Ministers must ensure that biodiversity considerations are more consistently incorporated into its trade agreements and operations. (Paragraph 168) 52 The UK’s contribution to tackling global deforestation
Matched on
terms: agreement, trade
Committee recommendation
80match
#7 - Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
The Government cannot stand idly by while some companies keep operating with wilful blindness. We recommend the creation of a Director-led working group within the Department to tackle the ongoing lack of transparency in supply chains specifically linked to the use of forced labour of, but not limited to, Uyghurs in Xinjiang. The working group should coordinate action...
Matched on
terms: human, right, trade
Committee recommendation
78match
#48 - Conduct sustainability impact assessments and develop strategies for environmental net gains in trade agreements
We reiterate the recommendation of our 2021 report on the UK’s footprint on global diversity: sustainability impact assessments must be conducted for all future trade agreements. Ministers must develop strategies for the effective monitoring and delivery environmental net gains, including gains through halting and reversing deforestation, in its negotiations for and implementation of the UK’s trade deals. (Paragraph...
Matched on
terms: agreement, trade
Committee recommendation
76match
#16 - Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
We recommend that the Department commit to full transparency in terms of its ODA funding being used in China to ensure that no Government funds are being used to underpin human rights abuses. The use of taxpayer funds needs to be addressed. The Department should conduct an urgent review of its direct expenditure, including those via other UK...
Matched on
terms: human, right, trade
Committee recommendation
76match
#13 - Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
We are disappointed that Magnitsky sanctions have not yet been imposed on Chinese officials implicated in human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Given that the US Government has imposed such targeted sanctions, we do not accept the argument that the UK Government has insufficient evidence to impose new sanctions. We are also disappointed that the BEIS Department has failed...
Matched on
terms: human, right, trade
Committee recommendation
76match
#4 - Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
We are deeply disappointed that The Walt Disney Company declined our invitation to give oral evidence, and to engage meaningfully with our inquiry. The Walt Disney Company has a responsibility to demonstrate that none of their actions supported oppression or undermined human rights during the production of Mulan. The Walt Disney Company still has many questions to answer,...
Matched on
terms: human, right, trade
Committee recommendation
74match
#10 - AMR considerations remain complex in UK international trade negotiations
We asked DHSC about whether AMR should be a component of trade negotiations. DHSC told us that the UK starts from a position of wanting to minimise the risk of antibiotic contamination of food and antibiotic-resistant organisms entering the UK market via food and that some countries use a lot more antibiotics in farming than we do.22 DHSC...
Matched on
terms: agreement, trade
Committee recommendation
72match
#14 - Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
We recommend that the Department, in collaboration with the FCDO and DIT, fully assess the options for introducing targeted sanctions against Chinese and international businesses implicated in human rights abuses and the exploitation of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. (Paragraph 68) BEIS Official Development Assistance spending in China
Matched on
terms: human, right, trade
Committee recommendation
72match
#5 - Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
We believe the Department must do more to meet its commitments to uphold human rights, particularly in relation to businesses with links to China. While transparency of supply chain legislation falls under the remit of the Home Office, business transactions are a BEIS responsibility. Despite mounting evidence, the Department has shown little sign that it is taking a...
Matched on
terms: human, right, trade
Committee recommendation
72match
#1 - Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
Given that evidence of serious human rights abuses in Xinjiang has been widely reported over many years, we are appalled that companies still cannot guarantee that their supply chains are free from forced labour. We found that many companies asserted that they have robust procedures for prohibiting human rights abuses while failing to undertake the necessary and basic...
Matched on
terms: human, right, trade
Committee recommendation
70match
#15 - UK trade policy needs to reflect SDG2 aspirations regarding food-insecure populations.
UK trade policy needs to reflect the Government’s aspirations for achieving SDG2 with a continued commitment to comprehensive assessments of the impact of trade deals on food-insecure populations and a focus on reforming trading rules that compound food insecurity. (Conclusion, Paragraph 52)
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
69match
#26 - Address indigenous peoples' land rights support in statutory evaluation of due diligence system.
We recommend that the statutory evaluation of the Schedule 17 due diligence system address expressly whether the due diligence system has effectively supported the human rights of indigenous peoples to land, territories and resources.
Matched on
terms: human, right
Committee recommendation
69match
#19 - Disparity in production standards threatens competitiveness of Welsh farming
We are concerned about the perceived disparity in production standards and the levels of financial support received by farmers in countries that the UK Government is negotiating trade agreements with. We are also concerned that lower-cost imports produced to less stringent standards could enter the UK market at prices below the cost of domestic production in Wales, potentially...
Matched on
terms: agreement, trade
Committee recommendation
69match
#18 - Publish an action plan by May 2028 supporting Welsh farms against FTA impacts
As the Tariff Rate Quotas progress towards a highly liberalised trade arrangement, the UK Government, in consultation with the Welsh Government and Welsh industry, should publish an action plan which sets out how farms in Wales will be supported to compete in the new market and how any negative economic effects will be identified and mitigated. This plan...
Matched on
terms: agreement, trade
Committee recommendation
68match
#2 - Third Report - Implications of the UK-Australia FTA for Wales
We welcome the UK Government’s commitment to including the impact on Wales in the impact assessment for the UK-Australia FTA. However, we reiterate our previous recommendation that the UK Government should publish a Wales-specific impact assessment for free trade agreements (FTAs), including the UK-Australia FTA. This should provide more detail than the impact assessment for the UK-Japan Comprehensive...
Matched on
terms: agreement, trade
Committee recommendation
68match
#16 - First report - Australia FTA: Food and Agriculture
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 deal to gain similar access for their goods, particularly for those markets that are geographically closer to the...
Matched on
terms: agreement, trade
Committee recommendation
68match
#58 - 3rd Report – From a Common Understanding to Common Ground: Building a UK-EU Strategic Partnership fit...
With both the Chancellor and the Prime Minister now referring consistently to the economic “damage” resulting from the nature of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), we ask the Government to set out its views on which elements of the existing TCA are the source of such “damage”; confirm, as Ministerial statements suggest, that it is of...
Matched on
terms: agreement, trade
Committee recommendation
66match
#7 - Assess and adjust trade, agriculture, climate, and gender programmes for smallholder farmers.
We recommend the Government assess its trade, agriculture, climate and gender programmes against the impact they have on smallholder farmers. Where necessary, these programmes should be adjusted to mitigate harm against smallholder famers and to enhance their place within sustainable food systems. (Recommendation, Paragraph 29)
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
65match
#16 - Australia and New Zealand FTAs disproportionately disadvantage Welsh agricultural sector
The UK’s Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with Australia and New Zealand will disproportionately disadvantage the agricultural sector in Wales. Beef and sheep meat make up a significantly larger share of the agricultural sector in Wales compared to England. As a result, Wales is more exposed 42 to the potential impact of imports from Australia and New Zealand under...
Matched on
terms: agreement, trade
Committee recommendation
64match
#1 - Eighth Report - Seafood and meat exports to the EU
We welcome the successful negotiation of the Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) with the EU, and its preservation of tariff and quota free trade for seafood and meat. However, the Agreement introduces substantial non-tariff barriers for such exports, in particular the requirement for an Export Health Certificate (EHC). Although there have undoubtedly been “teething issues”, there has also...
Matched on
terms: agreement, trade
Committee recommendation
64match
#5 - Third Report - Implications of the UK-Australia FTA for Wales
We are concerned that the statutory Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) is not yet operational and we urge the UK Government to set up the TAC as soon as possible. The UK Government intends to allow the TAC to scrutinise the final text of the UK-Australia free trade agreement (FTA), but this may occur too late to enable...
Matched on
terms: agreement, trade
Committee recommendation
64match
#1 - Third Report - Implications of the UK-Australia FTA for Wales
We are satisfied that the UK Government has sufficiently engaged with the Welsh Government during the consultation phase for the UK-Australia free trade agreement. However, given that trade agreements overlap with areas of devolved competence, we suggest that the Welsh Government should have access to the draft treaty text prior to publication. This would enable the Welsh Government...
Matched on
terms: agreement, trade
Committee recommendation
64match
#64 - 3rd Report – From a Common Understanding to Common Ground: Building a UK-EU Strategic Partnership fit...
There has been considerable uncertainty about the scope and function of the review of the implementation of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) which is required to take place this year. Although the 98 political summit process initiated in May 2025 has, in the Minister’s words, “overtaken” the review, we believe the latter can still play a...
Matched on
terms: agreement, trade
Committee recommendation
61match
#47 - Use trade negotiations to encourage high environmental standards and sustainable supply chains
If the UK Government is to persuade other major consumers to act on their deforestation footprint, it is important that the UK leads by example. We recommend that Ministers use the opportunity of bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations to encourage consistently high environmental and social standards, so as to accelerate the transition to sustainable supply chains which minimise...
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
61match
#21 - Ensure Fair Work Agency has powers and resources to investigate labour exploitation
The Government must ensure that the Fair Work Agency has the necessary powers to deter non-compliance. It must have the authority to investigate all forms of labour exploitation, up to and including modern slavery, and be adequately resourced to fulfil this remit. The Agency must build effective partnerships with the Police and the Home Office to tackle the...
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
57match
#16 - UK risks becoming a 'dumping ground' for forced labour products without legislative reforms.
The UK is at serious risk of becoming a ‘dumping ground’ for products made with forced labour if it does not keep up with our global partners on legislative reforms to tackle modern slavery. (Conclusion, Paragraph 85)
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
57match
#15 - Review Modern Slavery Act Section 54, mandating reporting and introducing penalties for non-disclosure.
The Government must review the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and make changes to Section 54 to improve transparency. In particular the Government should: a. Change provision 54(5) such that the areas of reporting in modern slavery statements become mandatory. b. Remove the provision in which companies are allowed to claim to have taken ‘no steps’ to address modern...
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
57match
#14 - Significant inconsistency exists in Modern Slavery Statements' transparency, hindering informed consumer purchasing decisions.
Case studies reviewed by the Committee highlight a significant inconsistency in the transparency of Modern Slavery Statements. Although these statements may meet the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the lack of standardisation hinders consumers from making informed purchasing decisions and assessing whether products are free from exploitative labour practices. (Conclusion, Paragraph 79)
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
56match
#8 - Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
In addition, we call on the Government to report to the Committee on the feasibility and legal basis of further measures in respect of supply chains linked to Xinjiang, including i) a whitelist of companies that have taken significant and clearly evidenced actions regarding their supply chain links to Xinjiang, and ii) a blacklist of firms that have...
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
56match
#9 - First report - Australia FTA: Food and Agriculture
We welcome the commitment that the Minister made to ensuring that UK trade deals protect the natural environment through a non-regression obligation on relevant regulations and standards that is enforceable with sanctions for non-compliance. We call upon the UK Government to include such provisions in future FTAs to help ensure that trade partners do not competitively undercut UK...
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
56match
#67 - 3rd Report – From a Common Understanding to Common Ground: Building a UK-EU Strategic Partnership fit...
We urge the Government to continue to make the case with the EU for a better deal for the British Overseas Territories (BOTs). We ask the Government to clarify what proposals it has made to the European Commission in respect of the trade relations between the BOTs as part of the “reset”, what barriers have prevented progress on...
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
56match
#66 - 3rd Report – From a Common Understanding to Common Ground: Building a UK-EU Strategic Partnership fit...
The Falkland Island Government has eloquently made the case for a new chapter on trade relations between the British Overseas Territories (BOTs) and the EU (alongside the separate arrangements for Gibraltar given its unique geographical situation). Given these territories’ small size, the lifting of the tariffs suggested by the Falklands would not distort the EU market but have...
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
53match
#23 - Declining trends in Welsh farming threaten UK food security and require urgent focus
The UK’s food security is dependent upon sustainable domestic production, and by that measure the trends in Wales should be cause for concern. The number of people employed in the industry in Wales has declined, trade with key European markets has declined and livestock numbers in Wales have declined. We are concerned that a continuation of these trends...
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
52match
#12 - Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
We further recommend that the Government a) accelerate its plans to extend the reporting requirement to public bodies, b) enhance the transparency and accessibility of modern slavery statements, and c) develop options for civil penalties for non-compliance. We ask the Government to bring forward concrete plans for the Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains 25...
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
52match
#11 - Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
We are disappointed by the Government’s refusal to commit to a clear timetable for making changes to the Modern Slavery Act. We recommend that the Government strengthen the supply chain transparency obligations for companies and introduce tough fines for non-compliance in line with other price/ earnings to growth responsibilities for companies.
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
52match
#11 - First report - Australia FTA: Food and Agriculture
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 the relevant sectors of the Government’s commitment to such standards, and helped raise standards globally. However, we do...
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
49match
#12 - Prepare comprehensive ban on import of goods from illegal Israeli West Bank settlements.
A different approach should be applied to the Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem; the Government should take immediate steps to prepare a comprehensive ban on the import of goods from the illegal settlements in the West Bank, with reference to the UN database of businesses substantially and materially involved in settlement-related business activity. (Recommendation,...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
48match
#17 - Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
The Department should also publish a comprehensive supply chain review of Newton Fund-supported projects in China and provide the Committee with a full list of the organisations it works with in administering the Newton Fund and the sums of money involved. (Paragraph 75) 26 Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
48match
#9 - Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
The Transparency in Supply Chains legislation in the Modern Slavery Act was important when it was first introduced, but it has not kept pace with changes in business supply chains. The Modern Slavery Act is out of date, has no teeth, and we do not accept that businesses should be excused from doing basic due diligence to guarantee...
Matched on
terms: trade
Committee recommendation
45match
#13 - Extend sanctions to all businesses operating within illegal Israeli settlements in West Bank.
The Committee welcomes the sanctions that the Government has imposed on illegal outposts and violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Until these settlements are curtailed and the violence ends, these sanctions should be sustained and extended to all businesses operating in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The Committee welcomes the sanctioning of companies and organisations that...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
44match
#69 - 3rd Report – From a Common Understanding to Common Ground: Building a UK-EU Strategic Partnership fit...
To ensure the Strategic Partnership with the EU can deliver on its full potential, we recommend that the Government, with a view to informing its objectives for the next bilateral summit and beyond, publish a White Paper on the future of the UK-EU relationship. This should clearly articulate the overall vision for the relationship; the strategic challenges that...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
40match
#10 - First report - Australia FTA: Food and Agriculture
However, it is regrettable that these provisions are not enforceable through the dispute resolution process if changes are made at the state level. In future deals the Government should seek to ensure environmental provision are binding on all levels of government in the countries that the UK negotiates with—as is the case in the UK.
Matched on
classifier match