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1715066

registered interest
date	30/04/2024
answering body	Department for Business and Trade
answering dept id	214
answering dept short name	Business and Trade
answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
hansard heading	Agriculture: Trade Agreements
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to expedite the negotiation and ratification of trade deals benefiting the food and agricultural sector.
tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
uin	HL4250
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government is securing improved market access for the food and agricultural sector, through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) but also the targeted removal of individual market access barriers in key international markets.</p><p>The Department for Business and Trade are working hard to secure new, or improved, FTAs with a range of important trade partners around the world. Work also continues to ratify the agreements we have signed, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which should come into force later this year.</p> answering member printed Lord Offord of Garvel question first answered 15/05/2024 16:41:10 answering member 4931 label Biography information for Lord Offord of Garvel
tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1715067

registered interest
date	30/04/2024
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Overseas Trade: Small Businesses
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what support they are providing to small and medium-sized enterprises to help them adapt to new import and export regulations.
tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
uin	HL4251
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government published the final Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) on 29 August 2023. It outlines new policies and processes that importers, the border industry and wider stakeholders including EU exporters will need to go through in order to import goods. We are implementing the BTOM in stages throughout 2024 to help industry get accustomed to the changes.</p><p>We have worked extensively with small and medium enterprises to help us define and help them adapt to new controls and requirements. Since publishing the final BTOM, Defra’s ongoing engagement has included regularly contacting 30,000 importers with up-to-date information, delivering over 50 webinars to thousands of businesses, providing bespoke training and working with HMRC to issue communication to 150,000 businesses in the UK.</p><p>The risk-based model outlined in the BTOM supports businesses of all sizes by minimising costs and burdens for traders and consumers. For example, low-risk products of animal origin will not require an Export Health Certificate or routine border checks and medium risk goods will undergo reduced intervention at the border. We are also piloting new Trusted Trader schemes that will support groupage loads, which is how SMEs often transport their goods.</p><p>All businesses will benefit from using the Single Trade Window, saving time and cost for traders. When fully operational, it will make better use of data and remove duplication to make it easier to trade internationally. This can also limit the requirement to use intermediaries and helps to support small businesses through the user interface on the platform. As the Single Trade Window develops, more information will be provided as to how SMEs can be involved and utilise the service.</p><p>The Department for Business and Trade supports small and medium enterprises with national programmes such as the Growth Hub network and through schemes such as Help to Grow. The new Help to Grow Campaign includes a dedicated website, acting as a resourcing hub for business support and advice, as well as SME leadership training schemes, Help to Grow Management and Help to Grow: Management Essentials. UK businesses can access DBT’s wealth of export support via <a href="http://great.gov.uk/" target="_blank">Great.gov.uk</a>. This comprises a digital self-serve offer and our wider network of support including trade advisers, Export Champions, the Export Academy, our International Markets network and UK Export Finance.</p><p>Furthermore, since its launch in October 2021, to February 2024, the Export Support Service (ESS) Export Digital Enquiry Service has supported over 16,800 enquiries. The ESS International Markets (IM) service has been live in all nine HMTC regions since April 2022 and has received 23,500 market enquiries from 10,700 businesses (up to February 2024).</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Neville-Rolfe question first answered 15/05/2024 16:31:06 answering member 4284 label Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe
tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1715068

registered interest
date	30/04/2024
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Food: Prices
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have undertaken a risk assessment of the impact of import controls on food prices; and whether they are taking any steps to mitigate any inflationary pressures on consumers.
tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
uin	HL4252
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2024 answer text <p>We have introduced controls which are more proportionate to risk, with low-risk animal products not requiring certification or checks at the border by default. This approach will apply to all our trading partners, meaning a direct removal of burdens for certain Rest of World importers.</p><p> </p><p>Compared with the import model that was originally scheduled to have been introduced in July 2022, we believe that this new model will reduce costs to businesses by around £500 million per annum by reducing the complexity and volume of paperwork associated with importing.</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s modelling of the inflationary impact of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) has been undertaken through a peer-reviewed econometric model.</p><p> </p><p>For consumers, the implementation of the BTOM should have minimal impact on food price inflation. Initial analysis has indicated that the policies introduced under the BTOM would lead to an approximate increase in consumer food price inflation of less than 0.2 percentage points over a three-year period.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 20/05/2024 15:18:41 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1715069

registered interest
date	30/04/2024
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Import Controls
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that the introduction of import controls does not result in lengthy administrative processes for businesses.
tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
uin	HL4253
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2024 answer text <p>The Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) has been designed with traders and consumers at the forefront. Our global risk-based approach harnesses data and technology to help reduce administrative burden for businesses. Further, most fruit and vegetables are currently treated as low risk and will not require any additional paperwork or checks. A limited number of meat and dairy products have been categorised as medium-risk. For these, simplified and streamlined certification is available.</p><p>Through the BTOM, we are piloting world-first Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Trusted Trader schemes. These will allow businesses, including some SMEs, to utilise their own processes to provide us with the assurance normally achieved through border controls, reducing administrative burden, time and costs. Further pilots that allow some traders to be approved to carry out their own checks at point of destination are now being rolled out.</p><p>Central to our support for businesses is our commitment to deliver a Single Trade Window (STW) with a further milestone this autumn. When fully operational, the STW will provide one digital gateway for users, where they can provide all the data once that is needed to fulfil their border obligations.</p><p>We continue to explore new ways to harness technology and streamline trade. Through the Ecosystem of Trust pilots, which developed theoretical models for ‘frictionless’ trade, the government partnered with industry to test new approaches to the use of technology and data at the border. These new approaches are now being taken forward via what we are calling “Border Trade Demonstrators” - aimed at improving border processes through better information sharing and improved governance.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Neville-Rolfe question first answered 15/05/2024 16:37:19 answering member 4284 label Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe
tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1715070

registered interest
date	30/04/2024
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Food Supply
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to monitor and address any disruptions in the flow of essential food and agricultural products resulting from the introduction of import controls, particularly in the event of unforeseen logistical challenges.
tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
uin	HL4254
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2024 answer text <p>We have introduced controls which are more proportionate to risk and worked with port and airport operators, traders, Port Health Authorities (PHAs) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to make sure we have the right infrastructure, systems and resources in place.</p><p> </p><p>This has culminated in recent months with an extensive period of operational testing. Collaborating with several ports, PHAs, APHA and traders, we have used these tests to ensure that stakeholders are prepared for the new controls.</p><p> </p><p>Defra is confident that existing and new Border Control Posts infrastructure will have sufficient capacity and capability to handle the volume of expected checks outlined in the Border Target Operating Model, with robust, dynamic and effective operational measures ready to call upon if needed.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 20/05/2024 15:12:41 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1715071

registered interest
date	30/04/2024
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	UK Trade with EU
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that trade relations with EU member states are not disrupted as a result of new import controls.
tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
uin	HL4255
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government has undertaken extensive engagement with EU Member States to reduce any risk of disruption to trade as a result of the new requirements. This included Ministerial engagement in the joint UK / EU Domestic Advisory Group session at the start of January 2024, enabling EU trade associations to engage directly on their outstanding queries ahead of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) implementation.</p><p>We continue with official level engagement with trading partners across the EU, including official visits to Belgium (by myself), the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Poland and Germany in 2023 and 2024. The Chief Veterinary Officer has also engaged with counterparts across the EU in order to resolve issues such as ensuring availability of translated Export Health Certificates.</p><p>Prior to the second BTOM milestone of 30 April 2024, officials worked with EU-based businesses to conduct robust operational testing. We have and will continue to work with the European Commission, individual EU Member States and trade bodies through established fora, webinars, business-to-government and commodity-specific sessions. We are always keen to seek feedback to address any concerns.</p><p><strong><p><p></strong></p> answering member printed Baroness Neville-Rolfe question first answered 15/05/2024 16:38:45 answering member 4284 label Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe
tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1714686

registered interest
date	29/04/2024
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Agricultural Products and Food: Import Controls
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure that (1) border infrastructure is fully prepared, and (2) there are sufficient staff in place, to handle the increased controls on food and agricultural products starting from 30 April.
tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
uin	HL4184
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government has worked with port and airport operators, traders, Port Health Authorities and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to make sure we have the right infrastructure, systems and resources in place.</p><p> </p><p>This has culminated in recent months with an extensive period of operational testing. Collaborating with several ports, Port Health Authorities, APHA and traders, we have used these tests to identify and resolve any remaining operational issues.</p><p> </p><p>We are confident that Border Control Posts infrastructure has sufficient capacity and capability to handle the volume of checks expected under the Border Target Operating Model. We are confident our systems are robust, dynamic, and effective, and we are confident inspection authorities are appropriately staffed and trained.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 09/05/2024 15:28:18 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1714688

registered interest
date	29/04/2024
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Food: Import Controls
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to mitigate potential supply chain disruptions, and (2) to ensure the uninterrupted flow of essential food items, when new border import controls are introduced on 30 April.
tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
uin	HL4185
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2024 answer text <p>We do not expect food shortages. The resilience and reliability of food supply chains is a key objective of the Government as set out in last year’s Government Food Strategy. In implementing this new control regime for the first time on EU imports, we will carefully monitor the range of potential risks, including those that may impact food supply-chains.</p><p> </p><p>The three-month period from 31 January 2024 has allowed businesses time to familiarise themselves with the new requirements before full implementation on 30 April 2024. We are adopting a carefully calibrated approach to enforcement of the new controls that minimises the risk of disrupting trade flows, with an emphasis on educating and supporting businesses to comply.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 07/05/2024 14:32:31 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1714689

registered interest
date	29/04/2024
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Agricultural Products and Food: Trade Barriers
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the additional administrative burdens and costs imposed on farmers and producers due to the new import and export regulations being introduced on 30 April; and how they will ensure that international competitiveness is maintained.
tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
uin	HL4186
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2024 answer text <p>The Border Target Operating Model strikes an appropriate balance between supporting business, by avoiding unnecessary regulatory burdens in the process of moving goods into Great Britain, while focusing controls on consignments proven to cause the most significant biosecurity risk.</p><p> </p><p>The implementation of controls on EU goods reduces the risk of plant and animal pests and diseases reaching GB and potentially causing significant disruption to domestic production, as well as assuring the safety of all imported food.</p><p> </p><p>No new export controls were introduced on 30 April.</p><p> </p><p>To support British exporters, the Department for Business and Trade will continue our engagement with the 27 EU Member-States as well as the Rest-of-World to smooth trade flow and open new markets.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 16/05/2024 16:58:14 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1714691

registered interest
date	29/04/2024
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	UK Trade with EU: Trade Barriers
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to enhance collaboration with EU authorities to (1) facilitate smoother import and export processes, and (2) uphold food safety standards.
tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
uin	HL4187
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2024 answer text <p>Since the publication of the draft Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) on 5 April 2023, Defra and the UK Government have been engaging with all border stakeholders to ensure that every actor is as prepared as possible for the controls outlined in the BTOM.</p><p> </p><p>We are working with officials at ports to enable us to monitor trade flow at the border and we have planning in place that will mitigate disruption or queues. These measures include approaches that reduce the chances of delays due to trader administrative errors contained in official documentation.</p><p> </p><p>The implementation of controls on EU goods does not change the safety standards of imported food. It has reduced the risk of plant and animal pests and diseases reaching GB and potentially causing significant disruption to domestic production, as well as assuring the safety of all imported food.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 21/05/2024 16:24:52 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley