Key Facts

• The amendment aims to replace the annulment procedure with an affirmative resolution procedure for regulations under section 1(1).
• Rosa Crawford from the Trades Union Congress testified that the GPA lacks requirements to promote social standards in tendering processes.
• Under the World Trade Organisation GPA, there is a 30-day period for new parties to join and a 60-day period for existing parties to withdraw.
• The amendment seeks to establish a form of super-affirmative procedure for scrutiny of an international trade agreement before ratification.
• It proposes laying draft orders and explanations before Parliament, with required periods for review and potential revisions based on committee recommendations.
• Another amendment aims to apply similar procedures to all trade agreements not covered by EU rollover agreements if the bill is extended.
• The amendment seeks to require Parliament's consent for the Secretary of State's recommendation for the chair appointment.
• The British Ceramic Confederation raised concerns about existing ideological views affecting tariff policies.
• The steel industry, particularly concerning China's dumping practices, highlights the need for a robust Trade Remedies Authority.
• The TRA's role in appointing board members is under scrutiny.
• Concerns exist that some trade remedy experts may not be enthusiastic about fair competition.
• Thomas asks for the chair’s view on connecting the UK TRA with the WTO dispute resolution process.
• The amendment seeks to give the International Trade Committee power over approving or vetoing the TRA chair's appointment.
• The Cabinet Office Public Bodies Handbook states that Ministers are accountable for public appointments decisions.
• Under schedule 4, the TRA must produce an annual report laid before Parliament and is subject to National Audit Office scrutiny.
• Amendment 35 establishes a fixed period of office for TRA members.
• Amendment 36 defines circumstances under which a person is considered unable or unfit.
• The amendments aim to reinforce TRA's independence and legal certainty.
• Clause 5 allows the TRA to be established as a new non-departmental public body.
• Appointments will follow the “Governance Code on Public Appointments” with appointments regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
• Amendment 2 aims to set a deadline of August 1st for laying annual reports before Parliament.
• Amendment 2 requires the Secretary of State to lay TRA's annual report before Parliament by August 1st.
• Amendment 3 requires a timely report on each recommendation made to the Secretary of State.
• The government wants flexibility for the TRA to develop and adapt performance indicators as it settles into its functions.
• Amendment 28 would require an analysis of any exercise by the Secretary of State under section 15 of the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018.
• The amendment is a response to concerns about granting significant power to the Secretary of State regarding import duty variations.
• President Trump has threatened tariffs on £3.1 billion worth of European goods, including whisky and biscuits.
• The proposed change to the cross-border trade Act grants significant powers to vary import duty rates.
• A fifth of the world’s gin production is based in Warrington, highlighting potential impacts on specific industries.
• The WTO appellate body has stopped working due to President Trump's actions.
• Amendment 28 refers to the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018.
• The amendment concerns scenarios involving successful challenges in WTO dispute settlement or FTA disputes where retaliatory duties may be imposed.
• Variations in import duties due to trade disputes are intended to be temporary.
• Amendment 32 would impose a duty on the Treasury to consult stakeholders when making regulations.
• Amendment 33 aims to protect legal professional privilege from disclosure under clause 7(1).
• Amendment 34 seeks similar protections specifically for information collected by HMRC under clause 8.
• Clause 7 sets out powers for HMRC to collect data on UK businesses exporting goods and services.
• Amendment 32 aims to restrict the Government's ability to implement new questions to gather data on exporters quickly.
• Legal professional privilege is a long-standing principle recognised under article 8 of the European convention on human rights.
• The UK has multiple pieces of national legislation aimed at various aspects of animal welfare for chicken alone, including on-farm catching, transport and slaughter.
• The US lacks comprehensive national animal welfare legislation covering farm animals, particularly in major poultry-producing states like Georgia, Alabama, and Arkansas.
• 79% of consumers would be uncomfortable eating beef produced with growth hormones, while 77% are concerned about milk from cows given growth hormones.
• The UK-Canada agreement has lower animal welfare standards and pesticide protections than those in the UK.
• Thomas argues that the new clause is relevant to the Bill due to concerns about food production, safety, and animal welfare in trade agreements.
• There are real concerns about health impacts from using antibiotics and growth hormones, including potential zoonotic diseases.
• The Minister confirms that chlorinated chicken from the US will not be allowed in British stores.
• All imports, including those from new trading partners, must comply with UK import requirements.
• The Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland ensure all food imports meet high safety standards.
• UK agriculture is a net beneficiary of the agreement as per the scoping assessment.
• There is an import ban on artificial growth hormones in domestic and imported products.
• Waitrose operates seven branches in Harrow West constituency.
• Any changes to existing legislation will require new legislation.
• Decisions around standards will be made separately from negotiations.
• British farmers are reassured that high standards of food safety and animal welfare will not be compromised.
• The NFU described UK’s import protections as some of the most precautionary in the world.
• New clause 9 requires trading partners to align with UK production standards within seven days.
• New clause 11 stipulates that all imported food should meet UK production standards.
• The Government's manifesto promises to maintain high environmental and animal welfare standards in trade negotiations.
• New Clause 12 aims to prevent market access to healthcare services.
• Leaked documents reveal discussions on UK health insurance systems and US desire for changes in drug pricing mechanisms.
• Drew Hendry suggests the Government could easily make a commitment to rule out these issues.
• New clause 12 seeks to add a different degree of protection for health services.
• Leaked documents show discussions in UK-US trade talks regarding possible measures to push up pharmaceutical prices.
• Ministers claim that the NHS is not on the table in UK-US talks but no published text ensures this.
• EU-Canada deal used negative list approach, causing concern due to lack of comprehensive NHS carve-outs.
• The NHS Confederation and The BMJ have published concerns about UK-US trade deals.
• Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions are highlighted as a concern.
• The Government has protected the NHS from private sector interference in current and future trade agreements.
• Parliament can see negotiated deals via the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 process before ratification.
• New clause would review free trade agreements five years after signing.
• Government's decision to axe support for British exporters by 60% is cited as an example.
• Concerns raised about investor-state dispute mechanisms incorporated into agreements.
• Gareth Thomas represents Harrow West constituency.
• Government's approach to EU negotiations aims for a Canada-style deal.
• UK and EU monthly pharmaceutical trade involves over 70 million packages.
• Erika disaster led to the establishment of the European Maritime Safety Agency.
• The Trade Bill has been in Committee for two weeks.
• The Bill aims to support an independent UK trade policy effective from January 1, 2021.
• Witnesses included representatives from organisations such as TheCityUK, British Chambers of Commerce, and The City of London Corporation.