Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans he has to promote high environmental standards with the UK's trading partners in (a) current and (b) future trade negotiations.

The UK has long supported the promotion of our values globally and this will continue as we leave the EU.

When we leave the European Union, we will maintain our current standards. We will keep our existing UK legislation, and the EU Withdrawal Act will convert EU law into UK law as it applies at the moment of exit. This includes the regulatory regime for food safety, animal welfare, and regulatory product requirements for industrial goods.

We’re clear that more trade doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment. We are exploring all options in the design of future bilateral trade and investment agreements, including possible environmental provisions within these taking into account results of the DIT consultation exercise.