UK food standards campaigners hail post-Brexit victory

Campaigners in the UK's food and agriculture sectors have claimed a victory over the government in the ongoing dispute over post-Brexit food standards, with the government conceding to set up a permanent body tasked with examining deals before they are signed.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU), food standards groups and the agricultural industry have been campaigning to ensure that when the UK officially leaves the EU on December 31, 

Following extensive industry lobbying, the government yesterday U-turned and announced that a trade and agriculture commission, which was set up earlier this year with a remit of six-months, will become a permanent and independent body with a statutory role which advises on trade deals.

The advisory group will report on each new trade deal before it begins a 21-day scrutiny process in parliament.

The UK international trade secretary, Liz Truss, said that the new body's work was "about putting British farming at the heart of our trade agenda".

“Our trade policy is deeply rooted in British values — democracy, the rule of law, human rights and a fierce commitment to high food and farming standards. Any deal that does not abide by those values or deliver for vital industries like agriculture will remain firmly on the shelf,” Truss added.

Of key concern for the campaign - which has secured more than 1 million signatures on a petition - is the negotiations with the US, which wants access to the British food market. 

Farmers in the US are permitted to use hormones, drugs and rearing techniques, that are banned in the EU and the UK, such as the now-infamous chlorinated chicken, which receives a wash treatment to remove bacteria.

In an article published yesterday in the Mail, Truss and environmental secretary George Eustice rejected such farming methods and products. 

 “Chlorinated chicken and hormone-injected beef are already banned in the UK and we will not negotiate to remove that ban in a trade deal,” the ministers wrote.

Last month, the government rejected an amendment to the Agriculture Bill which would have strengthened the role of the commission, as well as another which would have required food imports to meet the UK's production standards.

Campaigners had been previously lobbying for the establishment of the commission, which was intended to scrutinise and report on future trade and agriculture policy. Not long after it was first announced in June, the government-backed away from its intention to fast track a trade deal with the US, in a move claimed as a victory by the lobbyists.

NFU president Minette Batters said: “This significant commitment to primary legislation on food standards, both in the Agriculture Bill and Trade Bill, is exactly what we have been calling for. It is a landmark moment for the people of the UK, for our countryside and the future of the food on our plates.”

David Henig, of the European Centre for International Political Economy, said: “The campaign to protect UK food standards is strong and, like in virtually all countries with an independent trade policy, farmers will be a strong interest group and a US trade deal controversial.”

The newly-permanent body is chaired by Tim Smith, a food safety expert who was formerly head at the Food Standards Agency and also worked for supermarket giant Tesco as group technical director. Other members include the NFU, Food and Drink Federation and British Retail Consortium.

Back to Homepage

Back to Consumer Goods

Back to Politics & Economics