Parliament must help negotiate trade deals to protect UK food standards

The paper suggested new legislation should be introduced which prevented Governments from beginning trade talks without the approval of MPs and peers, allowing them to make recommendations to Ministers on the policy areas which should be included in the negotiations and the principles which should underpin them.

It also called for parliament to be able to properly scrutinise any deals while talks are ongoing.

“At least once every six months, the Government must lay before parliament a report containing an account of progress made during the negotiations and an assessment of the issues likely to arise during future stages which may affect UK producers, consumers or legislative standards”, the paper said.

“Parliament should have the right to make recommendations to the Government on, and propose amendments to, any draft texts and on the UK’s position during future stages of the negotiations.”

The final power which the report demands is for parliament to be able to amend or reject any trade agreement once concluded.

“If it wishes to amend the agreement, the Government must place its proposals before the other party/parties to the agreement”, said the paper.

“If they do not accept parliament’s proposals, parliament will have to decide whether to accept or reject the agreement.”