Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Government's policy paper, Collaboration on Science and Innovation: Future Partnership Paper, published on 6 September 2017, whether the seven EU Reference Laboratories based in the UK will be relocated after the UK leaves the EU; whether an economic assessment has been carried out on the potential effects of such relocation; and whether an assessment has been carried out on the potential effect of such relocation on the future of UK research.

As part of our preparations to leave the EU, we will consider how we continue to collaborate with European partners on major science, research, and technology initiatives. Defra is working with the Department for Exiting the European Union to look at future arrangements including for the EU Reference Laboratories based in the UK, and consider the impact on UK research and access to data, skills and intelligence. The UK will look to build on its unique relationship with the EU and establish an agreement on science and innovation that maintains and enhances research links..