Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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318. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans and the steps he is taking to establish a mutual recognition of the sanitary and phytosanitary standards relating to the agri-food sector is reached between the EU and UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4943/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The 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.

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.