Media urged to stop being ‘obsessed’ with chickens

Negotiator says there are far more important parts to any US-UK deal

Liam Fox has condemned a media “obsession” with the subject of chlorinewashed chicken as he tries to hammer out a US-UK trade deal.

The international trade secretary was in Washington for talks on post-Brexit trade links with the United States amid concerns any agreement would open up British markets to US products including the controversial chickens.

Dr Fox said closer trade ties could boost prosperity in both countries and hit out at Brexit critics, claiming they were “dreaming” if they thought the UK could end up remaining in the European Union.

Asked if he would feel comfortable eating a chlorine-washed chicken, Dr Fox said: “In a debate which should be about how we make our contribution to global liberalisation... the British media are obsessed with chlorine-washed chickens, a detail of the very end stage of one sector of a potential free trade agreement.”

Dr Fox urged Remainers to accept the result of the referendum.

The prominent Brexiteer said: “Those who are still intent on trying to thwart the process, or seem to hope that something will magically appear that will change the referendum results, they are dreaming.”

He said it would be “optimistic” to think a free-trade deal with the European Union could be concluded by the time of Brexit in March 2019 but ministers were supportive of a transitional deal so businesses would not face a cliff-edge change in the rules.

However, he rejected Brussels’ demands for the European Court of Justice to guarantee the rights of EU citizens in the UK after Brexit.

Theresa May’s official spokesman said it was too early to discuss specific details of any trade deal, such as the issue of chlorinated chicken.

He said: “Our position when it comes to food is that maintaining the safety and public confidence in the food we eat is of the highest priority. Any future trade deal must work for UK farmers, businesses and consumers.”

Labour MP Ben Bradshaw, a leading supporter of the Open Britain campaign, said: “This row about chlorine chicken is a direct result of the Government’s decision to leave the single market.

“They are so desperate for new trade deals to make up for some of the losses that they seem ready to compromise on the safety of the food we eat.”