The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Post-Brexit trade with USA a ‘two-way street’
US envoy sets out the Trump administration’s stall
The United States will welcome postBrexit food trade with the UK, but only if it is a two-way street.
That was the clear message from United States Department of Agriculture (Usda) Under Secretary Ted McKinney to delegates at the Oxford Farming Conference.
Mr McKinney, the Trump administration’s trade envoy, said the US was “wide open” to doing trade, and claimed his country set the bar high for food safety, animal welfare and environmental standards that were every bit as demanding as those in the EU.
“We can hold our food safety standards up against the EU any day of the week and twice on Sunday, so let’s get that out of the way,” he said.
“We hope your consumers have the opportunity to invest in an American turkey or chicken or any other type of protein that might be of their choosing.”
However during a press briefing a question about the practice of chlorinewashing chicken appeared to touch a raw nerve, and Mr McKinney denied the US used chlorine in its production of chicken.
“I’m sick and tired of hearing about chlorinated chicken. It’s not true,” he said.
“So I’m not going to take any questions from any of you if you raise chlorinated chicken . We haven’t used chlorine for a long time, so I ask that you move on and get off.”
Mr McKinney said President Trump’s pledge to get rid of regulations was a boost to America’s agricultural industry.
“We are rolling back regulations to allow communities to grow and thrive,” he said.
“It is allowing farmers to breathe again.
“I am seeing change, and I see opportunity.
“I am being told how people are now able to plan their farms and food businesses and move forward. Maybe you all can do the same.
“I don’t know if the UK will ever have an opportunity like this again – not in a generation like you have now – to get right the regulations of environmental care, animal welfare , productivity and opportunities to export.
“If we are asked, we’re happy to share with all of you how we do things – but only if asked. We’re not going to impose our will.”