WHAT THEY’RE SAYING... BUT WHO DO YOU BELIEVE?
Boris Johnson: ‘We will not accept any diminution in food hygiene or animal welfare standards.’ (February 2020)
Prince Charles: ‘The aggressive search for cheaper food has been described as a drive to the bottom which I am afraid is taking farmers with it. They are being driven into the ground by the prices they are forced to expect for their produce and this has led to some very worrying shortcuts. In the UK, as elsewhere – but particularly in the US – the consequences of this are ever more apparent in the deteriorating state of our public health.’ (May 2013) Environment Secretary George Eustice: ‘In the UK we have built a very special market based on provenance, with particular attention to food safety and animal welfare standards. We will not jeopardise that through trade deals in the future.’ (February 2020)
International Trade Secretary
Liz Truss: ‘We will never undermine our high domestic environmental protection, animal welfare and food safety standards – ensuring that in any agreement British farmers are always able to compete.’ (May 2020)
Shadow Environment Secretary
Luke Pollard: ‘Labour will vote against this [Agriculture] Bill because the issue of farm standards for our food is not a technical one; it is fundamental to what kind of country we are.’ (May 2020) Minette Batters, National Farmers’ Union president: ‘We must not tie the hands of British farmers to the highest rung of the standards ladder while waving through food imports which may not even reach the bottom rung.’ (February 2020) US President Donald Trump: ‘Working on major Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. Could be very big & exciting. JOBS! The EU is very protectionist with the US. STOP!’ (July 2017)
Foreign Office Minister James Cleverly: ‘Of course we are not going to have chlorinated chicken.’ (January 2020)
Woody Johnson, American
Ambassador to the UK: ‘Millions of Britons visit America every year and I would wager most eat chicken while there. Ask them and I am sure they will tell you that American agricultural products are safe, nutritious and delicious. These products should absolutely be included in a US-UK free trade agreement.’ (January 2020)
Conservative Party manifesto
2019: ‘In all of our trade negotiations, we will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards.’