Western Morning News (Saturday)
Fears for farm produce as US seeks trade deal
APROPOSED post-Brexit trade deal with the US could allow food produced to US standards – including genetically modified produce, chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-fed beef – to enter the UK.
Donald Trump’s administration has published negotiating objectives for a deal which states the US will be seeking “comprehensive market access” for its agricultural products through the reduction or removal of tariffs and the elimination of “unwarranted barriers” to food and drink imports.
It also includes demands for the UK to provide full market access for US drug firms and ensure that state institutions – such as the NHS – do not discriminate against American companies when purchasing goods and services.
The Department for International Trade welcomed the document, published by the office of US trade representative Robert Lighthizer, as a sign that Washington is keen to start talks soon after Brexit.
Liam Fox’s department said the UK would insist on maintaining “high standards for businesses, workers and consumers” in any deal.
But Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron, a supporter of the Best for Britain campaign for a new referendum on Brexit, said the document exposed “duplicity” on the part of Leave campaigners.
He said: “Only last week (Environment Secretary) Michael Gove told the National Farmers’ Union that farmers would be protected by tariffs after Brexit. Now it’s clear that the US won’t allow that in a trade deal and wants to flood us with chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-pumped beef.
“But the British people won’t be force-fed low-quality products or a bad Brexit deal. That’s why we need a public vote.”
Westcountry farmers are among those who have campaigned against a free-for-all on food imports which undermine food and drink produced to British standards of animal welfare and food safety.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “We have always been very clear that we will not lower our food standards as part of a future trading agreement.”
US companies have long complained that EU regulations limit American exports of food products such as chlorine-washed chicken, hormone-boosted beef and genetically modified crops.
Mr Trump’s commerce secretary Wilbur Ross warned in 2017 that continued adherence to EU standards after Brexit could act as a “landmine” to UK hopes of a free trade deal with the States.
Labour MP Jo Stevens, a supporter of the People’s Vote campaign for a second referendum, said the proposed deal – which also requires the removal of restrictions on transfers of personal data – could turn the NHS into “a playpen for huge US corporate interests” allowing US companies to sell to the NHS.