Maintaining safety and public confidence in the food we eat is of the highest priority. Without exception, imports must meet all the relevant UK product rules and regulations. Any future trade agreements must work for UK farmers, businesses, and consumers, and uphold food safety, animal welfare standards, and environmental protection. In addition, when it comes to products imported to the UK – quality, safety and performance will continue to be paramount.

The Government is committed to transparency and scrutiny of its trade agreements. The Government has confirmed that Parliament will scrutinise our future trade arrangements. Parliament will be able to inform negotiations, be regularly updated, and will ultimately play its role in the ratification of any new Free Trade Agreement through the process set out in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.

Moreover, the Government also had the largest ever response to the public consultation on future free trade agreements and recently held a debate in Parliament on these. I am confident these measures will ensure that both the public and parliamentarians get the chance to have their say on future trade agreements.