Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when the draft texts of (a) the UK-Australia and (b) the UK-New Zealand trade agreements will be shared with members of the (i) Trade Advisory Group on Agri-Food and (ii) Trade and Agriculture Commission.

The expertise of the Agri-food Trade Advisory Group (TAG) is drawn upon at key stages during negotiations, including on the initial Market Access offers for both the Australia and New Zealand free trade agreements. We intend to share draft text for both agreements with TAG members where this is relevant, and we have systems in place in preparation for this.

Treaty text will be shared with the Trade and Agriculture Commission at a point appropriate to ensure the membership’s time and expertise is used most efficiently, and within the bounds of Parliamentary protocol.