Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he raised animal welfare issues in relation to trade during his visit to China in September 2025.

The Secretary of State for the Department of Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, visited China from 10-11 September to co-chair the first UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission since 2018 and the UK-China Industrial Cooperation Dialogue. The visit delivered over £1bn market access wins in potential additional exports over 5 years, including the signing of a Pet Food Protocol in the agrifood sector.

Animal welfare was not discussed during the Secretary of State’s visit. The Government raises concerns about the welfare of animals with other Governments and international organisations when appropriate.