Written statement on Publication of report pursuant to Section 42 of the Agriculture Act 2020 on the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement - Nov 25

Minister of State (DBT) (Sir Chris Bryant): The UK officially signed its landmark Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with India on 24 July 2025, marking the start of a strengthened trading relationship between the two economies. The UK-India trade deal will make trade quicker, cheaper and easier for UK businesses, increasing UK GDP by £4.8bn and ultimately boosting bilaterial trade with India by £25.5bn every year in the long run. The deal enables UK businesses to expand into one of the fastest growing markets in the world, delivering the Growth Mission across the UK and showing the UK's global commitment to free, fair and open trade.

In order to trigger the ratification of the UK-India trade deal through the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (CRaG), the Government has a statutory duty to lay a Report before Parliament under Section 42 of the Agriculture Act 2020. Today, I'm proud to lay this Report before the House.

The Secretary of State has sought advice from independent bodies including the Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC), Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS), and has responded to this advice in the Report. Their independent advice concurs with the Government's assessment that the FTA does not affect the UK's ability to maintain its statutory protections in relation to human, animal, or plant life or health, animal welfare or the environment. The Government endeavours to bring this landmark agreement into force as soon as possible, whilst providing for full Parliamentary scrutiny.