The sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) chapter of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement puts in place a framework that allows the UK and the EU to take informed decisions to reduce their respective SPS controls, with a commitment to avoid unnecessary barriers to trade. Defra has utilised these mechanisms to agree specific easements, such as to allow the movement of birds through Avian Influenza zones on their way to slaughter, facilitating trade between GB and the EU in relation to HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza). We are open to discussions with the EU on additional steps to further reduce trade friction between GB and the EU, but these cannot be on the basis of future alignment with EU rules. This would compromise sovereignty over our own laws.