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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the Government has to adopt the REACH chemical use and transport regulations for chemicals produced and imported into the UK after the UK leaves the EU; and if he will make a statement.

The Withdrawal Bill will convert current EU law into domestic law wherever practical, giving consumers and businesses as much certainty as possible. This includes the REACH Regulation. The UK is strongly committed to the effective and safe management of chemicals. That will not change when we leave the EU.

As part of the exit negotiations the Government will discuss with the EU and the 27 Member States how best to continue cooperation in the field of chemicals regulation in the best interests of both the UK and the EU.

It would not be appropriate to pre-judge the outcome of the negotiations.