CPTPP and agri-food regulation: crossing the EU-exit rubicon?

This Briefing Paper is one of a pair of papers that looks at the strategic choice to accede to CPTPP as part of a larger symbolic move away from the EU and its regulatory model. This paper considers CPTPP and UK agri-food regulation. Briefing Paper 61 examines the impact of CPTPP on UK digital trade. • Acceding to CPTPP underscores that the UK needs to decide – and defend – its approach to agri-food standards domestically. • Signing up to particular regulatory principles in any given FTA (in this case the CPTPP) may constrain domestic policy, and also what the UK can subsequently agree to with other partners in future FTAs. • Failing to adequately understand or anticipate the interests of CPTPP Parties could prove detrimental to upholding the UK’s strategic objectives, including maintaining current levels of protection in food standards and safety. • Current levels of protection in food standards and safety could be undermined through increased pressure on UK regulators and also indirectly through increased competitive pressure on UK farmers. • The UK must communicate clearly in the first phase of accession to the CPTPP that it does not intend to lower its existing standards. • A clearly-communicated, well-documented record of the UK’s intent to maintain its current approach to agri-food regulation in the accession process, such as through the use of so-called side letters, will ensure that CPTPP doesn’t undermine UK agri-food standards and also help to address concerns that future trade partners may demand similar commitments in upcoming FTA negotiations.