In questions to the Foreign Secretary in the House of Commons Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, asked about UK-EU discussions regarding a veterinary or sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.
Dr Hudson highlighted the need for these agreements as it is clear that infectious agents do not respect international or domestic borders
Dr Hudson asked:
“We have learned that viruses and many infectious agents do not stick to international or, indeed, domestic borders. That is all too true in the human setting, but also in the veterinary setting. With that in mind, what discussions has my right hon. Friend had with the EU about the possibility of a veterinary or sanitary and phytosanitary agreement?”
Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss responded:
“My hon. Friend makes a good point about biosecurity. Of course, that is a key priority for us and the European Union. We are exploring all options that maintain the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the UK. I completely recognise what my hon. Friend says: those issues cross borders, so of course we need to work with our EU partners to sort them out.”
Speaking afterwards, Dr Hudson added:
“I am glad to hear the Foreign Secretary say that the Government is exploring all options with the EU with regard to biosecurity. We need to act fast and it appears to me that a veterinary agreement can be negotiated with the EU through building upon the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement. The current situation is creating major barriers for UK food exporters and also significantly contributes to the volume of checks in relation to the implementation of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol
The EFRA Select Committee, of which I am a Member, covered many of these important issues in its ‘Moving Animals Across Borders’ Report published last September. I will continue to call on the Government to prioritise the negotiation of a bespoke UK-EU veterinary agreement.”
