Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the Written Statement of 31 January 2022, HCWS570, on Trade Update, what discussions she has had with her Indian counterpart on ensuring that the free trade agreement being negotiated between India and the UK does not undermine UK (a) animal welfare, (b) environmental and (c) food safety standards; and if she will make a statement.

My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade met her Indian counterpart in New Delhi on 13^th January to launch the United Kingdom-India trade negotiations. Defending the interests of British consumers and producers is a priority for HM Government, and the Department for International Trade has been clear that more trade need not come at the expense of our high environmental, animal welfare and food safety standards. We are a world leader in these areas and that will not change.