Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether talks relating to future international trade agreements will include possible reductions of the current food safety regulations; and whether chlorine-washing of chicken will continue to be contrary to UK food safety standards.

HM Government has made it clear that any future trade deals must work for British consumers, farmers and companies. We are proud of our high standards in food safety and these will not be weakened.?High standards and high quality are what our domestic and global customers demand, and that is what we?will?provide.

It is vital that we explore new trading opportunities, but these should not mean a dilution of the standards for which British food is world-renowned. The EU Withdrawal Act transfers all existing EU food safety provisions on to the statute book and we remain firmly committed to upholding our high food safety standards.