Boris ought to see for himself the horror that is ‘Cowschwitz’
Last week you wrote about
Harris Ranch in California, which is one of America’s biggest beef ‘feedlots’ and known locally as ‘Cowschwitz’. Maybe members of our Government and others in ivory towers should visit this terrible scene.
I have driven past it, and if they saw the cruelty that goes on there, they would never allow us to go down their proposed path of a trade deal that could import the products of such places to the UK.
Harris Ranch is a horrendous indecency to the US cattle population. The sight of so many sad cattle, and the stench and noise, will live with my wife and me for ever. Also, would it not be a good idea to take all those involved in the Harris Ranch business and put them in with the poor animals for a couple of weeks? Barry Pearce, Pulborough, West Sussex
British farming is about compassion, dignity and maintaining proper welfare and safety standards.
That spirit is exemplified by Wiltshire organic farmer Helen Browning, whom you featured last week. She clearly loves the animals she brings into the world. I have also been pleased to read that an overwhelming majority of Britons oppose moves to ditch animal welfare and environmental rules as part of any new trade deal with the US. I hope people throw their weight behind The Mail on Sunday’s Save Our Family Farms campaign. Our farmers are a credit to Britain and are world-class. David Courtney, Weston-super-Mare
Let the United States export their beef to us, antibiotics and all. All we, the UK consumers, have to do is buy British products. When US companies’ sales become uneconomic, they will stop exporting to us.
Donald Trump – if he is still in office – may not like it when that happens, but the old adage holds true: the customer is king. Jon Sebastian, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire
Boris Johnson made promises to the public over Brexit, that any agricultural deals would see our food standards protected. Yet his party voted against keeping those standards and protecting our farmers. It is a disgrace. How many more promises will he break? If you had any decency, Boris, you’d resign. Matthew Blakemore, Hatfield, Hertfordshire
Regarding the potential import of foods from the US, there must be tens of thousands of people in the UK in the same position as myself – suffering from multiple allergies and intolerances to chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, etc – and who are concerned as to how imports of foods containing these additives will affect their diets.
I have to buy organic produce when it is available and I can afford it. But I am fortunate in that I am able to purchase meat from a local butcher who knows exactly which farm it comes from, and what the animal has been fed on. Meat forms the staple of my diet because of my intolerance to most vegetables.
The fact people like my butcher might be put out of business by the consequences of a trade deal with the US fills me with despair. Susan Williams, Alfreton, Derbyshire
Imports of adulterated chicken and beef from the US must have their origins clearly labelled, whether whole or in processed food. The concerned British public can send a powerful message by leaving such items on the shelves. Joe Cowley, Belvedere, Kent
We seem to have epidemics of obesity and diabetes. That’s because of what’s in our food and drink. People form queues for burgers and drinks laced with sugar, cream and chocolate. But that is the price of freedom. T. Sayers, Spilsby, Lincolnshire
Having holidayed in America on many occasions, my wife and I are in awe of the number of men who are more than 6ft 2in tall – and equally the number of people of both sexes who appear to have a similar circumference.
It makes you wonder if the growth hormones fed to livestock are being passed on to humans via the food chain. Leslie Bolton, Stockport
I take note of readers’ concerns over farm animals being injected with chemical improvers. However, have the bacon-sarnielovers bothered to see what their rashers contain? Just have look on the back of the packet at the list of ingredients, whether the bacon is smoked or unsmoked.
Trevor Newman,
Dunstable, Bedfordshire
Your paper’s articles on the threat posed by China’s corrupt regime, the dangers of US food and the EU’s dictatorial trade stance have left me wondering who we could ever reach a trade deal with.
Roy Daniels, Luton, Bedfordshire
It may seem cheaper to buy from abroad, but there are hidden costs
– fewer jobs for British people who won’t then pay income tax and would need unemployment benefit, and fewer UK companies paying taxes. Also, transporting goods around the world instead of producing them at home causes needless pollution.
A. Wills, Ruislip, Middlesex
All produce in supermarkets is labelled with country of origin. My wife and I have been reading these labels for years; if the country of origin is not the UK, we leave it on the shelf.
We have supported the NHS during the pandemic, and now should support British producers and buy British. It supports our farmers and saves British jobs.
Bob Cremers, Watton, Norfolk