Oral QuestionMinistry of Defence

If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

Tabled: 21 May 2026Answered: 1 June 2026

Asked by

Emma Foody

Labour (Co-op)Cramlington and Killingworth

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Defence

Answer from Hansard

The Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security (Mr Douglas Alexander)

I assure the hon. Lady that the SPS agreement—the veterinary agreement, as it is called—is one of the priorities we are pursuing. That matter is being led by the Cabinet Office, as is the reset with the European Union. I assure her that dialogue is under way between the Department for Business and Trade, the Cabinet Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It is a priority. It will take time to reset, but I assure her that we are fully aware of the urgency.