The Government risks negotiating with one hand tied behind its back if it does not take full advantage of the knowledge and intelligence that the UK sector can provide to support negotiations. The description of the agri-food Trade Advisory Group (TAG) given by the Deputy Chief Negotiator appears to confirm the industry’s description that the group was mostly about providing updates to industry rather than industry, and other stakeholders, providing advice and insights to Government. The Gove...

The Government risks negotiating with one hand tied behind its back if it does not take full advantage of the knowledge and intelligence that the UK sector can provide to support negotiations. The description of the agri-food Trade Advisory Group (TAG) given by the Deputy Chief Negotiator appears to confirm the industry’s description that the group was mostly about providing updates to industry rather than industry, and other stakeholders, providing advice and insights to Government. The Government must overhaul the way it engages with the relevant sectors and the devolved administrations during negotiations to provide for meaningful two-way Type: recommendation | Number: 13 | Paragraph: 89 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: Meaningful two-way engagement with industry stakeholders and the devolved administrations (DAs) is essential for delivering the UK’s trade objectives. The Government has well established, productive stakeholder relationships across the wh