The Secretary of State for International Trade has asked the Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) for advice on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) ascension agreement.
Kemi Badenoch MP formally signed the treaty to bring the UK into the CPTPP free trade agreement, the UK’s biggest post-Brexit deal, in New Zealand yesterday (Sunday, July 16).
The TAC’s job is to scrutinise new free trade agreements once they are signed, and its advice will be laid before parliament.
Secretary Badenoch has specifically asked the TAC to advise on whether the measures in the UK-CTPTT accession agreement that are applicable to trade in agricultural products are consistent with the maintenance of UK levels of statutory protection in relation to animal or plant life or health; animal welfare; and environmental protections.
Typically, as part of its scrutiny process the TAC calls on the public to submit evidence, whereby stakeholders can submit written feedback on the deal in question.
Details on whether this process will apply to the CPTPP deal have yet to be announced.
Secretary Badenoch has also written to the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland to seek their joint advice on whether measures in the agreement are consistent with the maintenance of UK levels of statutory protection in relation to human health.
Both advisory reports are to be submitted by November 30.
CPTPP
With the UK, the CPTPP will have 12 members: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam, as well as the UK.
The CPTPP liberalises trade between these countries.
In the next step, the government will seek to ratify the agreement – but not without parliamentary scrutiny first. Other CPTPP countries complete their own legislative processes.
According to the government, being part of CPTPP will mean that more than 99% of current UK goods exports to CPTPP countries will be eligible for zero tariffs.
As an example it said dairy farmers will benefit from reduced tariffs on cheese and butter exports to Canada, Chile, Japan and Mexico, building on the £23.9 million worth of dairy products exported to these countries in 2022.
It will also give UK exporters market access to Malaysia for the first time and reduce tariffs on imported goods, which could lead to cheaper prices for British consumers.
Secretary Badenoch, ahead of the signing said: “I’m delighted to be here in New Zealand to sign a deal that will be a big boost for British businesses and deliver billions of pounds in additional trade, as well as open up huge opportunities and unparalleled access to a market of over 500 million people.”
National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Scotland President Martin Kennedy welcomes the “opportunities to improve trade overseas”, but only on “fair terms”.
“In stark contrast to the deals struck with Australia and New Zealand, we believe that the UK Government has put greater consideration into the CPTPP agreement,” he added.
“Compared to these earlier trade agreements, it appears provide a fairer, more balanced platform for all parties to build good relations from and we are pleased that government and the Prime Minister has taken on board some of the serious misgivings raised by farmers and the food and drink sector previously.”
