Part 5: Marketing Standards, Organic Products and Carcass Classification Section 42: Reports relating to free trade agreements
Section 42 requires the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on whether, or to what extent, provisions in free trade agreements (FTAs) that relate to agricultural products are consistent with the maintenance of UK statutory levels of protection in relation to human, animal and plant life or health; animal welfare; and the environment. Subsection (1) states that the Secretary of State must lay such a report before Parliament before any FTA may be laid before Parliament under Part 2 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (CRaG). Subsection (5) states that copies of the report must be provided to the Devolved Administrations and relevant Parliamentary Committees that appear to the Secretary of State to have an interest in the report.
	The structure of each individual report will be tailored to the country in question and cover relevant aspects as required. Subsection (4) states that the Secretary of State may seek independent, expert advice when preparing each report.
	Subsection (6) sets out exceptions for the EU future relationship and certain FTAs negotiated with parties to existing FTAs. This section does not apply to a UK FTA if each other party is the EU or a Member State of the EU. Nor does it apply to UK FTAs negotiated before the second anniversary of IP completion if each other party and the EU were parties to an FTA that was in effect before Exit day.