Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
1156. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Irish representatives will be on the EU-UK specialised trade committees that relate to the agrifood sector, particularly the committee on sanitary and phytosanitary standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1527/21]
View answerThe EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) creates a new framework for the future EU-UK relationship that ensures quota-free and tariff-free trade between the EU and the UK. This is of significant importance to the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors.
The overarching body that will monitor the agreement and ensure its effective implementation is the Partnership Council. This will be supported by a number of other committees and working groups, including the Trade Specialised Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.
The SPS Chapter of the EU-UK TCA aims to protect human, animal and plant life and health while facilitating trade between the Parties, amongst other objectives. This is a complex area of work, and the Trade Specialised Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures is intended to address matters that are covered under this Chapter.
The EU and UK will each be represented on this Committee, and Member States, including Ireland, will have the right to participate in meetings as part of the EU delegation.
It is vital that the SPS Chapter of the Agreement works as effectively as possible to both facilitate trade and maintain the robust food safety standards which underpin Ireland and the EU's agrifood export markets. The specific programme of work and schedule of meetings for these bodies will be determined in the period ahead. My Department will engage closely with our EU partners to ensure that our key interests in the sector are protected and advanced in this work.
