The UFU has hit out at MPs for failing to pass an amendment it says would have ensured that all imports would have to meet UK animal welfare and environmental standards.
The UK government has rejected plans to ensure food imports are produced to the same standards UK farmers. \ Donal O' Leary
ADVERTISEMENT
Without policy in place to stop trade deals with countries that produce food below UK standards, there is a huge risk of cheap imports flooding the market, Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) president Victor Chestnutt has said.
The UFU has said the amendment would have ensured that all imports would have to meet UK animal welfare and environmental standards, and the recent rejection is a huge blow for UK agriculture and consumers
ADVERTISEMENT
Missed opportunity
Chestnutt said: "While we recognise the government's repeated commitment that it will not lower food safety standards, last night’s vote in the House of Commons was a missed opportunity that has ultimately put the future of UK food and farming in jeopardy.
“We could see no reason to forego a stronger, clearer and more coherent role for MPs in the agreement of trade deals in a way that would not hinder the Government's ability to negotiate new trade agreements and pursue an independent trade policy.”
Next sitting
With the Agriculture Bill due to return to the House of Lords, the UFU president hopes a new amendment is put forward that gives farm representatives more input.
Chestnutt concluded that he hoped a vote can be passed at the next sitting in support of putting official legislation in place to coincide with UK animal welfare and environmental standards.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
However, if you would like to share the information in this article, you may use the headline, summary and link below:
Title: ‘UK market at risk to be flooded by cheap food’
The UFU has hit out at MPs for failing to pass an amendment it says would have ensured that all imports would have to meet UK animal welfare and environmental standards.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Without policy in place to stop trade deals with countries that produce food below UK standards, there is a huge risk of cheap imports flooding the market, Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) president Victor Chestnutt has said.
The UFU has said the amendment would have ensured that all imports would have to meet UK animal welfare and environmental standards, and the recent rejection is a huge blow for UK agriculture and consumers
Missed opportunity
Chestnutt said: "While we recognise the government's repeated commitment that it will not lower food safety standards, last night’s vote in the House of Commons was a missed opportunity that has ultimately put the future of UK food and farming in jeopardy.
“We could see no reason to forego a stronger, clearer and more coherent role for MPs in the agreement of trade deals in a way that would not hinder the Government's ability to negotiate new trade agreements and pursue an independent trade policy.”
Next sitting
With the Agriculture Bill due to return to the House of Lords, the UFU president hopes a new amendment is put forward that gives farm representatives more input.
Chestnutt concluded that he hoped a vote can be passed at the next sitting in support of putting official legislation in place to coincide with UK animal welfare and environmental standards.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS