Written questions by Allister.

Whether (a) the Joint Consultative Working Group has had discussions on the application of EU Regulation 2023/1115 in Northern Ireland and (b) the group's meeting minutes are published.

The UK and EU regularly engage on the Windsor Framework and shared priorities, including the issue of deforestation. As was confirmed in the response to question UIN4798 on 16th September, Ministers are currently considering our approach to those matters, noting also that the EU Commission has proposed to delay the implementation deadlines by 12 months to 30 December 2025. Whilst official level engagement between the UK and EU is confidential, both the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee and its Specialised Committees publish details of their meetings and decisions.

Whether the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee's Specialised Committees have had recent discussions on the application of EU Regulation 2023/1115 in Northern Ireland.

The UK and EU regularly engage on the Windsor Framework and shared priorities, including the issue of deforestation. As was confirmed in the response to question UIN4798 on 16th September, Ministers are currently considering our approach to those matters, noting also that the EU Commission has proposed to delay the implementation deadlines by 12 months to 30 December 2025. Whilst official level engagement between the UK and EU is confidential, both the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee and its Specialised Committees publish details of their meetings and decisions.

Whether the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee has had recent discussions on the application of EU Regulation 2023/1115 in Northern Ireland.

The UK and EU regularly engage on the Windsor Framework and shared priorities, including the issue of deforestation. As was confirmed in the response to question UIN4798 on 16th September, Ministers are currently considering our approach to those matters, noting also that the EU Commission has proposed to delay the implementation deadlines by 12 months to 30 December 2025. Whilst official level engagement between the UK and EU is confidential, both the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee and its Specialised Committees publish details of their meetings and decisions.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2024 to Question 4798, what estimate he has made of the number of full-time equivalent staff needed for the work of the competent authority in Northern Ireland in relation to EU Regulation 2023/1115.

Ministers are currently considering our approach to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) in Northern Ireland, and the Government will communicate relevant arrangements at the earliest possible opportunity.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2024 to Question 4798 on Forest Products: Northern Ireland, what estimate his Department has made of the annual costs to businesses in Northern Ireland arising from achieving compliance with EU Regulation 2023/1115.

Ministers are currently considering our approach to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) in Northern Ireland, and the Government will communicate relevant arrangements at the earliest possible opportunity.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2024 to Question 4798 on Forest Products: Northern Ireland, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on preparing for EU Regulation 2023/1115.

Ministers are currently considering our approach to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) in Northern Ireland, and the Government will communicate relevant arrangements at the earliest possible opportunity.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2024 to Question 4798 on Forest Products: Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterpart on the application of EU Regulation 2023/1115 to Northern Ireland; and if he will publish the minutes of those discussions.

Ministers are currently considering our approach to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) in Northern Ireland, and the Government will communicate relevant arrangements at the earliest possible opportunity.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2024 to Question 4798 on Forest Products: Northern Ireland, what estimate his Department has made of the annual costs of running the competent body with respect to its role in EU Regulation 2023/1115.

Ministers are currently considering our approach to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) in Northern Ireland, and the Government will communicate relevant arrangements at the earliest possible opportunity.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the tariff level applied to imported electric buses on local production; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of raising that tariff.

In setting tariffs, the Government takes into account the interests of UK consumers, producers, productivity, competitiveness, and external trade, as well as wider considerations such as strategic trade objectives.As with all policy, the Government welcomes feedback and monitors these requests closely. Feedback can be submitted on specific tariff lines via the UKGT feedback form available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tariffs-on-goods-imported-into-the-uk.

What trade remedy measures to promote domestic manufacturing industries are in place in respect of electric bus manufacturing in the UK.

The UK does not have a trade remedy measure in place against imports of electric buses.