Minutes of the second meeting between the TSD DAG and DBT, June 2023
Updated 26 April 2024
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Executive summary
The Trade and Sustainable Development Domestic Advisory Group (TSD DAG) is an independent group formed of business representatives, civil society and academics. The group advises on trade and sustainable development policy implementation for the United Kingdom’s existing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
This was the second hybrid meeting of the TSD DAG and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) since the group was established in September 2022.
The agenda included an update to the group on DBT’s priorities and strategy and a session for the TSD DAG in which they discussed ways of working and next steps. Each agenda item was introduced by DBT and then DBT left the room, giving the TSD DAG the opportunity to discuss and share their views freely.
Opening remarks
Representatives from DBT welcomed the group and thanked them for their contributions to date.
The TSD DAG Chair outlined their objectives for the day and introduced the focus of the meeting: the group’s ways of working.
DBT’s TSD DAG engagement strategy
DBT presented an outline of government strategy for the group’s engagement and key role in the implementation of labour and environmental provisions within the UK’s FTAs.
The presentation was followed by a brief discussion where representatives of the group emphasised the opportunity to build on best practice from other trade DAGs. The group also requested the development of a formalised response framework regarding their implementation engagement with DBT going forward. DBT accepted that a feedback loop was important and reiterated the commitment to respond to all requests in a timely manner.
DBT then left the TSD DAG to discuss independently.
DBT’s implementation priorities and objectives
DBT environment and labour policy advisors presented an outline of environmental and labour policy priorities and objectives for the implementation of the UK’s Trade and Sustainable Development chapters, for the upcoming sub-committees.
The TSD DAG expressed interest in feeding into DBT’s preparation cycle for the government sub-committees on trade and sustainable development. The group also enquired if there were opportunities for international co-operation and how they could participate. DBT committed to following up on the group’s enquiries after a process of internal consideration.
DBT left the TSD DAG to discuss independently.
TSD DAG workshop on ways of working
This was a private workshop for the TSD DAG in which they discussed their ways of working as a group going forward.
Summary and closing remarks
DBT provided a short summary of the day and the discussion.
The TSD DAG Chair gave some closing remarks and thanked DBT for hosting the event.