The UK's Trade and Agriculture Commission's advice to the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the UK-India FTA has been published today.
Professor of International Law Lorand Bartels has been Chair of the Government Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) since 2021, having been reappointed in May.
The TAC advises on whether an FTA affects the UK's ability to protect animal welfare and health, plant heath, and the environment. Its advices are laid before the UK Parliament prior to triggering the parliamentary ratification process for the FTA.
In this advice, the TAC analyse the relevant provisions of the UK-India FTA governing trade in agricultural products. Also, responding to concerns raised with us by stakeholders about effects on UK standards, we focus on the Indian prawn, dairy and leather industries, pesticide use, and in particular antimicrobial resistance.
Previous advices have considered FTAs with Australia and New Zealand, and the UK's accession to CPTPP. The TAC's advices should be read together with the UK Food Standards Agency/Food Standards Scotland advice on the implications of FTAs on food safety for human health.