Key Facts

• Clause 1 is about the definition and meaning of the CPTPP.
• The Office for Budget Responsibility adjusted the GDP boost projection from an initial 0.08% over 10 years to a mere 0.06%, halved in the long run to 0.04%.
• The Trades Union Congress warns that CPTPP could threaten workers' rights, regulatory standards, and democratic decision-making.
• The statement highlights concerns about ISDS mechanisms enabling corporations to sue governments over policies designed to protect public health, environment, and social welfare.
• Transform Trade has highlighted restrictions under CPTPP that could severely impact biodiversity and livelihoods of small-scale farmers, contradicting UK commitments under the Paris climate agreement and sustainable development goals.
• The inclusion of ISDS poses a challenge to national sovereignty and regulatory autonomy.
• Philip Davies is chairing the debate on the Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords].
• Tan Dhesi was addressing clause 1 of the bill, setting a broader scene for Labour's perspective.
• Davies warns against delving into detailed discussions about future amendments and new clauses during the current debate.
• The Minister wrote an article hinting at the possibility of the United States rejoining the CPTPP.
• The RSPCA has raised concerns about the lack of explicit language on animal welfare in CPTPP.
• Eurotunnel previously lost a case involving ISDS and had to pay significant costs.
• Clause 1 defines 'The CPTPP' signed on 8 March 2018 and 'The UK accession protocol' signed on 16 July 2023.
• The Minister criticizes Labour for inconsistency in their stance on trade agreements like the Canada-EU agreement (CETA).
• The CRaG process, a Labour-initiated scrutiny mechanism, is mentioned as potentially outdated since leaving the EU.
• Amendment 1 seeks to amend clause 2 by inserting a requirement for parliamentary resolution approval.
• Amendment 2 proposes the addition of a new subsection (5) in clause 2 to ensure public consultation before regulations are made.
• The amendment covers consultations with Scottish ministers, Welsh ministers, Northern Ireland department representatives, and English regions.
• Clause 2 of the Bill deals with treatment of conformity assessment bodies.
• Current legislation requires conformity assessment bodies to be based in Great Britain or a country with mutual recognition agreements.
• Article 8.6 of CPTPP allows for no less favourable treatment of foreign conformity assessment bodies.
• Amendment 1 aims to change negative procedure to positive one to ensure debates on regulations.
• Amendment 2 requires consultation with Scottish, Welsh Ministers, Northern Ireland and English regions before introducing regulations.
• Amendment 2 seeks to require consultation with devolved Governments and Metro Mayors.
• The Scottish Government noted a lack of data disaggregation for Scotland in the assessment of CPTPP benefits.
• Consultation with Welsh and Scottish Governments revealed mixed experiences, with recent consultations deteriorating before accession was announced.
• Clause 2 requires changes to subordinate legislation to comply with UK’s accession to CPTPP.
• Changes do not alter regulatory requirements for products entering the UK.
• Conformity assessment bodies need to be accredited by UKAS.
• UK exporters can save time and money by having products tested in the UK rather than overseas.
• Approximately £10 billion in UK exports to CPTPP parties were covered by conformity assessment procedures in 2021.
• The Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (CRaG) is the main avenue for scrutiny of this deal.
• The power in clause 2 ensures conformity assessment bodies established in CPTPP party territories are treated no less favourably than UK-based ones.
• Secondary legislation is subject to negative procedure, a position supported by the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee (DPRRC).
• Clause 2 will amend only UK Government regulations, not devolved legislation.
• The Secretary of State must lay assessments within three years after Royal Assent.
• Reports will cover impact on climate change plans, sustainable production, deforestation, environmental targets, manufacturing, job market inequality, public service delivery, and ILO conventions.
• Annual reports are required assessing impacts on developing country trading partners.
• Around 90% of the world’s oil palm trees are grown in Malaysia and Indonesia.
• Only 1% of Malaysian palm oil smallholdings are certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).
• Nearly 90% of deforestation is attributed to agricultural expansion, impacting wildlife like orangutans and tigers.
• The CPTPP will remove import tariffs on palm oil irrespective of its environmental credentials.
• Lord Johnson committed to a monitoring report after two years and a comprehensive evaluation after five years.
• Transform Trade's analysis highlights concerns about the restriction of farmers’ rights to seeds under the CPTPP.
• CPTPP membership has affected the sustainable production of forest risk commodities within the UK supply chain.
• Chester Zoo in Samantha Dixon's constituency is a leading organisation for championing sustainable palm oil.
• Ferrero, an international company based in Chester, sources 100% responsible and sustainable palm oil.
• The agreement includes countries like Australia, Malaysia, Mexico, and Peru which are mega-diverse regions supporting more than 70% of biological diversity on the planet.
• The CPTPP may alter fundamentally the UK’s procurement landscape, exposing local markets to increased international competition.
• Concerns have been raised about potential erosion of local jobs and businesses due to lack of enforceable labour standards in the agreement.
• The automotive sector faces challenges from increased market access and competition under the CPTPP.
• The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has highlighted the significant contribution of the automotive industry to the UK economy.
• The UK is entering a recession.
• Small businesses and working people face increasing pressure from both the cost of living crisis and wider economic contraction.
• The MP's constituency includes individuals who have raised concerns about these issues.