CARIFORUM and UK EPA Study

these, five (5) were measures that affect all trading partners , including CARIFORUM exporters. It should be noted, however, that there are a number of products that are not regulated under the UK regime, and these could be areas of potential opportunities for CF exporters, where they currently export these products to the UK tariff and quota free. There are further indications that measures to protect human, animal and plant health will be even further tightened in the UK. Signalling even more divergence from the measures in the EU, and which CARIFORUM exporters would have been accustomed to under the CF-EU EPA. The UK has indicated that it is on a mission to boost farm exports. 29 The Trade and Agricultural Commission (TAC) in its final report ( October 2021) indicated that developing a balance in policy was not easy, and focused on the following objective for its recommendations, a “long-term approach to feeding the nation, focusing on 3 key areas – affordable food, protecting the environment and helping those who want to lead healthier lives in a system which is fair for all involved…We also need a UK trade policy which creates a fair and safe farming system for all.” The report noted that while price and greater choice of products was a key consideration for UK consumers, they were increasingly concerned with environmental issues, how the food was produced, and where it is from. So that, “environmental footprint, ethical factors and animal welfare are shaping our decision making. Transparency is critical throughout the supply chain. Traceability provides a knowledge of provenance. Labelling has a role, and in particular country of origin labelling and third-party assurance schemes provide convenient ways to signal that the product has reached a certain standard.”

29 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-trade-and-agriculture-commission-launched-with-measures-to-boost farming-exports

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