International Trade Committee calls for trade transparency

"We're glad the International Trade Committee backs our call for trade transparency and a role for Parliament in deciding how and with whom we sign trade deals. Sustain's members have made it clear that they see huge risks in the UK signing poor trade deals, introducing chlorine-dipped chicken and hormone-treated beef into our food chain, propping up farm systems that overuse antibiotics to cover up low animal welfare and jeopardising our farmers' livelihoods and rural communities. Our future trade deals could be a force for good, if they uphold high standards that we now expect. Scrutiny and transparency will help with this."

Read Sustain's submission to the International Trade Committee inquiry

“The UK is set to begin negotiating its own trade agreements for the first time in 40 years. These agreements have the potential to affect every part of every UK citizen’s life – from the quality of the food we eat to the money in our pocket. We have seen what happens when the public and parliament are deliberately kept in the dark over trade negotiations. With so much to gain or lose, everyone has the right be heard.

“Current Government plans for the transparency and scrutiny of future trade negotiations are characteristically vague and attempt to dress poor planning up as pragmatism. Our report makes an unequivocal argument for transparency over secrecy, consultation over concealment, and parliamentary debate over simple rubber-stamping.

Core principles

The report identifies four key principles that must underpin the UK’s post-Brexit trade policy. Firstly, it accepts that while trade negotiations are the prerogative of Government, Parliament must have a meaningful role throughout. The ability for MPs to represent the views of those that stand to be affected – consumers, businesses and workers – will lead to fairer outcomes for all.

Secondly, trade policy must be open and inclusive and maximise benefit throughout the UK. When formulating policy, a wide range of stakeholder groups from across all nations must be represented.

Thirdly, the Government must operate from a presumption of transparency rather than secrecy. Whilst the Committee accepts that certain documents must remain confidential, it must justify its decisions to withhold information.

Finally, processes must be formalised without delay and, where appropriate, be placed on a statutory footing. All parties who will be affected by trade policy outcomes must understand how the process works, particularly when and how they can contribute.

Further information