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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to use the arbitration mechanism in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement to resolve issues exporting live bivalve molluscs to European markets.

Defra is working to find a resolution on this issue and we have been discussing with the EU and key partners. We have offered to provide reasonable additional reassurances to demonstrate shellfish health, on the understanding that the Commission recognises the existing high standards and history of UK-EU trade.

Until we get this issue resolved, we will do all we can to help businesses adapt to the new trading conditions and access alternative markets.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement is still awaiting ratification by the European Parliament.

The Agreement contains robust mechanisms that can be used by both parties to ensure that the trade and cooperation arrangements are implemented effectively. As a matter of course we will be monitoring such implementation and will use such mechanisms where appropriate.