The other day, I “Zoomed” into a fascinating discussion on the EU Green Deal and what it might, or probably will, involve. The conversation zoned in on how, under the Green Deal and the drive towards zero carbon emissions, Europe’s steel and cement industries would be hugely and perhaps fatally disadvantaged if other cement- and steel-producing countries with more liberal carbon emission regimes were allowed export their products to the EU without some kind of levy to compensate for the more stringent European regulations.

This approach has met ready acceptance in Europe – not surprisingly, non-EU countries likely to be affected take a more jaundiced view, but there is nobody seriously questioning the inherent logic of the EU position.

What I found interesting, and to an extent alarming, was that the parallels with agricultural trade were not even recognised.

There is a patchwork of production systems that are banned in Europe but practiced elsewhere, such as hormones in beef and pigmeat production – in this case, imports are not allowed.

What I found interesting, and to an extent alarming, was that the parallels with agricultural trade were not even recognised

But ironically, the genetically modified feedstuffs such as maize and soya are allowed into the EU to produce the full range of animal products in direct competition with EU producers of animal feed. EU farmers are, of course, not allowed produce these feedstuffs.

If, in Europe, we go down the seemingly likely road of insisting on farming methods with a reduced carbon footprint, then it would only seem fair that the carbon border levy concept that is gaining such traction in the industry would apply to agricultural imports into Europe.

There is no doubt that such a levy would increase the cost to the EU consumer, especially of the more intensive sectors such as pigmeat and poultry, but it would make grass-fed beef and milk more competitive and would enhance Europe’s growing reputation for quality.

Real food prices have declined very significantly in Europe over the years, along with farmers’ incomes. This would seem to be an opportunity to partly redress the balance.